Posted on 04/16/2005 10:26:03 PM PDT by nutmeg
Eloise can stay!
Owners of The Plaza hotel announced a deal yesterday that saves the hotel's grandest public spaces - including the famed Palm Court where a portrait of the fictional Eloise hangs nearby - and secures hundreds of union jobs.
"This is another good day for New York," said Mayor Bloomberg, who was credited by both sides with coaxing out a deal during a raucous announcement packed with cheering union workers in the hotel's ornate Grand Ballroom.
Under the plan, which must still be approved by Local 6 of the hotel workers union, new owners Elad Properties agreed to more than double the number of hotel rooms, to 350 from 150, while dropping the number of condos from 200 to 150.
Elad had first proposed under a controversial plan to convert most of the landmark hotel's 800 rooms to condos and many of its grander interior spaces into retail shops.
Under the new plan, all of the 150 condos will face Central Park South and the park, while the hotel rooms will look out on 58th St. and Fifth Ave.
More importantly to preservationists, The Plaza's gilded Grand Ballroom, the Oak Room, the Oak Bar and the Palm Court will all remain as is and open to the public.
OLD PLAN
Hotel rooms: 150, down from 800
Condos: 200
Total union jobs: 70 to 100
Other changes: The Grand Ballroom would have been converted to retail shopping, while the Oak Bar and Oak Room probably would have been changed beyond recognition.
NEW PLAN
Hotel rooms: 350
Condos: 150
Total union jobs: At least 350
Other changes: The Grand Ballroom, the Palm Court, the Oak Bar and Oak Room will stay as they are.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
NYC ping!
For your NYC ping list?
looks like it's all about union jobs to me
Viva la Plaza!!
OK, I'm going to bed now...
The good news is, Freddy Ferrer will kick Blunderbergs a-s back to Massholechusetts. Than we can get a real mayor in four years.
Nutmeg, it's not just for the city. Remember, it's a place so nice they named it twice! /sarcasm
I tried to delete all the names that would obviously cause a redundant ping.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
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