Plaza Hotel renovation and closure

The historic Plaza Hotel in Manhattan is scheduled to close for extensive renovations beginning in January 2027. Management company Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that the closure is expected to last at least four years, with a potential reopening around 2031.

The project is driven by the need for comprehensive exterior repairs, masonry restoration, and facade maintenance to comply with strict historic preservation guidelines. The New York City Department of Buildings reportedly identified unsafe conditions on the building’s 18-story historic facade, necessitating the long-term shutdown to ensure the safety of guests, employees, and neighbors.

While the 281 guest rooms, Palm Court, and various event spaces will be closed, the 181 private residential condo owners within the building will not be displaced, though they will face several years of exterior scaffolding. Regarding the workforce, the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council is working to assist staff in finding interim employment, though reports indicate employees may have the right to return to their positions with the same pay once operations resume. The hotel, a French Renaissance-style landmark since 1969, is noted for its cultural significance and cinematic history.