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Digital Exhibits
- America's Palace
- Art Deco and the Waldorf Astoria
- Bakers Unite!
- The Big Four at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
- Building the World's Greatest Hotel
- The Empire Room: A Setting for Dinner and Dancing
- Hats, Balloons, and Noisemakers
- History of the Motorama
- Oscar of the Waldorf
- The Original Waldorf Astoria Hotel
- The Waldorf Astoria in Pop Culture
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Art Deco
Title
Art Deco
Description
When the decision to build a new Waldorf=Astoria Hotel was made, the managers and investors of the new hotel were most emphatic that the atmosphere, traditions, and prestige associated with the old Waldorf=Astoria be preserved and transferred to a structure that incorporated the innovative design and technology of the Twentieth Century. Architects Leonard Schultze and Fullerton Weaver realized that the Art Deco style emerging in New York during this era was the perfect way to combine traditional elegance with modern functionalism.
The Waldorf=Astoria we know today occupies an entire city block bounded by Park and Lexington Avenues, and 49th and 50th Streets. It has stood as a shining, preeminent example of Art Deco design since its opening in 1931.
This collection features photographs and graphic renderings that document the architectural and decorative details found all around the Waldorf=Astoria. The majority of photographs cover the Façade, Main Lobby, Park Avenue Foyer and Starlight Roof.
The Waldorf=Astoria we know today occupies an entire city block bounded by Park and Lexington Avenues, and 49th and 50th Streets. It has stood as a shining, preeminent example of Art Deco design since its opening in 1931.
This collection features photographs and graphic renderings that document the architectural and decorative details found all around the Waldorf=Astoria. The majority of photographs cover the Façade, Main Lobby, Park Avenue Foyer and Starlight Roof.
Collection Items
Louis Rigal Mural in the Waldorf-Astoria's restored Art Deco Park Avenue Lobby
Black and white photograph depicting one of the restored murals by Louis Rigal in the Park Avenue lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Frozen Fountain Balustrade
Black and white photograph depicting the "frozen fountain" balustrade detail found in the stairwell between the Silver Corridor and the Main Lobby. This motif is carried throughout the hotel in stairway grills and ceiling cornice friezes.
Simmons Mural Detail -- Silver Corridor
Black and white photograph depicting one of the ceiling murals of the Silver Corridor. These murals were done by American Artist Edward Emerson Simmons in the 1890s and were take from the Astor Gallery of the Old Waldorf Hotel.
Art Deco Gate Detail -- Starlight Roof
Black and white photograph depicting one of the art deco gate details of the Starlight Roof.
Art Deco Gate Detail -- Starlight Roof
Black and white photograph depicting one of the art deco gate details of the Starlight Roof.
Art Deco Gate Detail -- Starlight Roof
Black and white photograph depicting one of the Art Deco gate details of the Starlight Roof.
Art Deco Gate Detail -- Starlight Roof
Black and white photograph depicting one of the Art Deco gate details of the Starlight Roof.
Metal Grillwork Detail above the Entrance to the Main Lobby
Black and white photograph depicting a section of the Art Deco metal grillwork design that appears above the entrance to the Main Lobby from the Park Avenue Foyer.