"I dream't I dwelt in marble halls"
Devoted to the histories and current state of the great mansions of America's Gilded Age.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

The Plaza Hotel in Books


The original Plaza Hotel facing Fifth Avenue circa 1900. Photo: Library of Congress.
The Plaza Hotel has always been located on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets. The original building was constructed around 1890 and said to be one of the most luxurious hotels in New York. But the fast pace of New York's growth during the, " Gilded Age" and its love of splendor made this hotel antiquated in only 15 years. By 1905 this original building was torn down to make way for the great landmark building that we still have today. The new Plaza Hotel opened in 1907 and the first guest was Alfred Vanderbilt. Ever since then until recently, it was known as the place of the very rich, socialites and anyone else who could afford to stay there. The famous Palm Court was always a favorite place to have an afternoon meal after a day of shopping on Fifth Avenue. Today the Plaza Hotel is split into a mixed use with most of it sold off as condominiums for the world's new rich and powerful and a smaller part still serves as a hotel. The Palm Court is still a wonderful place to go for meals and it's beautiful stained glass ceiling, once covered up, has been restored. One could write a book about the Plaza Hotel and many have! Here are a few of my favorites from my collection.

 
The Plaza Hotel circa 1912. Photo: Library of Congress.








Four of my favorite books about the Plaza Hotel.





 Please click the following links to read more about the Plaza Hotel's History.


2 comments:

Erica said...

You should check out The Persian Room Presents by Patty Farmer. Wonderful book on the history of The Persian Room in the Plaza Hotel. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Gary Lawrance said...

Thank you,That is a new one for me!

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