If these marble walls could talk: history and service at The Plaza
The Plaza is one of New York’s most storied buildings, from the children’s books by Kay Thompson that chronicle the adventures of Eloise and her resident menagerie to tales of Donald and the late Ivana Trump gilding every room when they owned it in the 1980s. The list of famous faces that have stayed at The Plaza — which opened in 1907 as a luxury hotel and was renovated to include condos in 2007 — includes some of the boldest bold-face names, with Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Christian Dior and NFL owner Robert Kraft among them. Even The Beatles stayed at the Plaza. Located on Fifth Avenue across the street from Central Park, the French chateau-inspired hotel and residence also impresses with its mansard roof, uniformed doormen and five-star spa. In the mid- to late-aughts, the world’s 1% were lining up to buy, often at absorbent prices. However, there have been issues with the condo development, including lawsuits and absentee owners. And 17 years after opening, many condo units have not held, or increased, their value
Opulent residences overlooking Central Park
There are 163 residences at The Plaza Condominium & Residences, ranging from studios starting at $1 million to a more than 10,000-square-foot penthouse listed for $60 million in the second quarter of 2024. Many units offer hardwood floors, marble bathrooms and views of Central Park and Midtown Manhattan. Owners have brought their interior designers to the building, so finishes and styles vary. Some residences can be purchased and then put into the building’s rental program, but the common charges for those rooms are much higher than non-hotel residences. Selling the units has proven somewhat challenging as the condo ages; price cuts are common, although there are still big-ticket deals going down. For example, Kraft combined two units on the 11th floor when the building was still being renovated, selling them in an off-market deal for $22.5 million in May 2024. “It doesn’t surprise me that Kraft didn’t really make any money on it,” says Julie Satow, author of the 2019 book “The Plaza: The Secret Life of America’s Most Famous Hotel.” “He bought it for $14.74 million in 2007, which equates to $21.7 million today, so not much profit.”
Marble walls, crystal chandeliers and a French spa
For many affluent buyers, there is undeniable cache in calling one of the world’s most famous buildings home and claiming the address One Central Park South. Of course, all the amenities of the hotel are on offer to residents, including valet parking, twice-a-day cleaning services, around-the-clock room service and on-call butlers and concierge staff. The spa is run by the famed French beauty brand Guerlain, and the Plaza’s marble walls and crystal chandeliers give it a distinct old-Europe appeal. The Palm Court serves afternoon tea under its domed stained-glass ceiling, and there are cocktails at the Champagne Bar. There’s also a ballroom and terrace room, plus on-site shopping, including an Eloise clothing store and an Assouline bookshop. The landmarked building now has separate entrances for residents and hotel guests. The Plaza is across from Grand Army Plaza and its Pulitzer Fountain, which F. Scott Fitzgerald once jumped in, fully clothed, “out of sheer joy!” Satow reported in her book.
World-class shopping and entertainment within walking distance
The Plaza is in the center of much of what Manhattan is known for, from Central Park to upscale shopping along Fifth Avenue and along East 57th Street. Carnegie Hall and New York City Center are within walking distance, while Broadway theaters are a bit further south. Museum Mile is straight up Fifth Avenue, while the Museum of Modern Art is just a few blocks away. The Paris Theater, an art-house movie theater, is across the street.
Across the street from N, R and W trains
The N, R and W trains stop across the street from The Plaza, at Fifth Avenue and East 59th Street. A side street in front of The Plaza acts as a porte-cochere, where valets can pick up residents’ keys.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Grand Army Plaza
1 min walk
Channel Gardens
9 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
Tramway Plaza
11 min walk
Picnic Area
50th Street Commons
12 min walk
Picnic Area
745 Plaza
13 min walk
Picnic Area
Honey Locust Park
13 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Dante Park
15 min walk
Picnic Area
MMC Plaza
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Greenacre Park
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Nature Center
Schools
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