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Landmarks
768 Fifth Avenue Plaza Hotel, Application to alter the The Oak Room exterior stairs and move railings at entryway on Central Park South
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 (designated in 1969), 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 presented to us would alter the original design of the entry way to The Oak Room Central Park South for no justifiable reason by:
- Removing historic fabric of the building by:
- Sheering back the hip wall on either side of the stair, and
- Rounding the corners of the second step of the stair, and
- Relocating the brass handrails.
WHEREAS, Members of the Board expressed concerns regarding the safety of the new configuration, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of the application to modify the historic The Oak Room entrance way.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 4 opposed; 1 abstaining.