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Parks & Public Spaces
Application for Planned Distinctive Sidewalk at the Waldorf Astoria
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, December 08, 2022, the following resolution passed with a vote of 26 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining:
WHEREAS, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (the “Applicant”) is proposing the renovation of the sidewalks along the perimeter of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel; and
WHEREAS, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Towers was built between 1929-1931 and is a New York City Landmark as designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1993; and
WHEREAS, The building is located at 301 Park Avenue on the block bounded by East 49th and East 50th Streets and the Lexington and Park Avenues and occupies the entire block, with all four sides exposed to street thoroughfares; and
WHEREAS, The Waldorf Astoria is currently undergoing a comprehensive restoration of the landmark’s exterior features along with interior renovations; and
WHEREAS, The sidewalk itself is not part of the landmarked area and as such, not subject to the Landmarks Commission oversight; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has been engaged by the building’s owner, DAJIA US, and is seeking to renovate the existing sidewalks enveloping the building’s block; and
WHEREAS, The proposal seeks to create a uniform sidewalk treatment with concrete pavers and poured concrete; and
WHEREAS, The proposal will restore the historical lattice pattern, regrade the sidewalk to modify two entryways to become accessible entrances, restore two granite paving treatments at the building’s main entrance and modernize the existing expansion joint covers in the sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, The proposed modifications will be undertaken on all sidewalks around the entire perimeter of the full-block building and will create uniformity; and
WHEREAS, The existing sidewalk is mostly composed of concrete, but in instances where other materials are present, such as stone, the Applicant has represented it would endeavor to salvage or reuse such materials; and
WHEREAS, The project is intended to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will be sequenced to minimize disruption to pedestrian traffic; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five recognizes and commends the elevation changes of the sidewalk in order to bring the ground-level flush with two entryways that will be converted into ADA accessibility entrances; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant noted that there were no plans to install a snow melt or de-icing system in conjunction in this new sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has engaged in detailed research to restore the historic exterior aesthetic of the landmark building’s sidewalk with materials and design harmonious with the building’s historic elements while furthering accessibility; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application by the Waldorf Astoria for planned distinctive sidewalks.