The Plan: At the Waldorf Astoria Residences, Time Stops — and Takes a Swim – Commercial Observer
Do you remember the first time you saw “The Wizard of Oz,” and there was that moment when Dorothy lands in Oz and opens her front door to reveal a world of marvelous, bright, intense color? That’s what it’s like to visit the Waldorf Astoria Residences at 303 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The finishing touches are being put on a few of the residential areas of the iconic hotel where the phrase “live, work, play” takes on a whole new meaning, as the residences offer over 50,000 square feet of private amenities and programming, plus those offered by the storied hotel. No, seriously, you can order room service to your home.
Move-ins started last fall, and the most recent amenity to be completed — just four weeks ago as of publication — was the private porte-cochère on East 50th Street. Conceived by international designer Jean-Louis Deniot — who also designed all the residential space — the double-height, vaulted driveway with expansive arches and bronze Art Deco accents could make even royalty stop and gawk.
“The porte-cochère offers exclusivity, privacy and speaks to the functionality of your lifestyle in New York City,” said Leslie Wilson, senior executive vice president at Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, which handles sales and marketing for the Waldorf Astoria Residences. “You can load and unload your car, and you immediately have people who are going to come help.”
Other resident-only amenities include the 25-meter pool, known as the Starlight Pool for the hotel’s legendary Starlight Roof. There’s also the indoor poolside lounge called the Winter Garden, and the 6,000-square-foot Starlight Terrace featuring two outdoor kitchens and dining tables overlooking Park Avenue. The list continues with more lounges, bars, a Monte Carlo-themed gaming room and bar, the Cue Club for shooting a round of pool, and the yet-to-be-completed Chrysler Room.
The Chrysler Room — named for the spectacular view of the historic Chrysler Building — will have seating for 46 people in a private dining area where residents can cook in the demonstration kitchen, hire their own chef to come in and cook, or simply order catering from the hotel.
We don’t have enough space to highlight every amenity, the gorgeous primary baths with deep soaking tubs — you know how we love a deep-soaking tub at Commercial Observer — all of the elegant touches in the spa (including the meticulously detailed feathered tile walls), and the stage and screen theater for watching and performing.
The Presidential Library and Bar is a unique experience for the residents as it was created in collaboration with the White House Historical Association. The room is adorned with bookshelves full of biographies of presidents and first ladies, as well as historical artifacts such as presidential china and John F. Kennedy’s rocking chair — displayed only for special occasions.
There are 372 condominium homes in total, with more model units coming online as they are completed. Wilson declined to comment on how many of those units have been sold so far. Pricing per residence ranges from $1.895 million to $18.5 million.
“It’s like you’re living in a movie,” Wilson said. “When you are here, it feels like time has stopped.”
Amanda Schiavo can be reached at aschiavo@commercialobserver.com.
