The historic Plaza Hotel, which has stood on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park since it opened in 1907, will close starting in January 2027 for at least four years to undergo a full restoration of its landmarked façade. The announcement was made on October 14, 2026.
According to the property, part of Accor’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, the decision reflects that the repair work would cause “significant disruption” to normal hotel operations if attempted while the building remained open. The exact scope and technical complexity of the restoration are still being evaluated, and any work will have to be closely coordinated with the city’s historic preservation authorities given the building’s landmark status.
In addition to the general closure, the ballroom and the Palm Court restaurant, one of the hotel’s best-known dining spaces, are also expected to close in January. It is not yet clear whether residents of the luxury condominium units in the building will have to vacate during the work. Hotel representatives declined to provide details beyond the initial statement.
The Plaza joins a growing list of historic high-rise buildings in the United States facing costly exterior envelope work to meet safety and preservation requirements, underscoring the importance of preventive façade maintenance on long-lived structures.
Source: Construction Dive