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Landmarks

768 Fifth Avenue and 59th Street (Plaza Hotel).

WHEREAS, The Plaza Hotel is a French Renaissance style "chateau" designed by the famed architect Henry J. Hardenbergh,  built in 1905-07 and opened in 1907 with an addition designed by Warren and Wetmore and built in 1921; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation it is considered "the greatest hotel in the world" and is a New York City landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places; and

WHEREAS, It is one of the most famous and historic hotels in the world, known for its architecture as well as for its history, host to historic events and woven into the fabric of New York's past; and

WHEREAS, The application is to modify doors and windows on the West 59th Street façade, and to modify the designated interior landmark spaces; and

WHEREAS, The façade changes include alterations to the entrance just to the east of the 59th Street lobby entrance, removing stairs and areaway and creating an entrance at grade, the major marquee is retained in place and the entry doors are  raised to new entry level; and

WHEREAS, The plan will recreate windows in the original former Ballroom on the third floor at the three arched openings to the west on 59th Street; and

WHEREAS, A site visit was made to the Plaza Hotel to see the changes proposed for interior designated spaces; and      

    

WHEREAS, The below listed interior spaces of the Plaza Hotel, designated landmarks by the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission should not be altered without good reason:

WHEREAS, The proposed interior changes in designated spaces include but are not limited to:

WHEREAS, Many of the changes to interior designated spaces are made necessary to allow for access to the retail spaces in the Edwardian Room, Terrace Room and lower level; and

WHEREAS, The Community Board Five has serious concerns regarding the installation of six doors in the historic and beautifully designated 5th Avenue lobby and the installation of an escalator through a designated wall; and

WHEREAS, The demolition of a marble staircase leading up to the Terrace Room appears to impact negatively on the interior landmarked space; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five did not vote on every individual alteration, the Board's concerns are addressed in the above numbered section of this resolution; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of a new staircase built on the west end of the north corridor; installation of new Palm Court doors, removal of storefronts on the south side of the north corridor (jewelry store, etc.); instillation of a new door to the Grand Ballroom; and be it further

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 abstentions.

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed façade changes to the Plaza Hotel, deeming them not to adversely impact the landmark, and be it further

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 abstention.

RESOLVED, That the Community Board Five recommends approval of the escalator through a designated wall; and be it further

The above resolution passed by a vote of 26 in favor, 12 opposed, 2 abstentions.

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the proposed installation of the six doors in the 5th Avenue lobby; and be it further

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor, 8 opposed, 1 abstention.

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the demolition of an important designated marble staircase in the South Corridor going up to the Terrace Room within the Plaza Hotel.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 28 in favor, 11 opposed, 1 abstention.

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