Facts about the Waldorf

FACTS
about
THE WALDORF-ASTORIA
Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library
Gift of
Seymour B. Durst Old York Library
FACTS
about
THE WALDORF-ASTORIA
THE
HOTEL WALDORF-ASTORIA
CORPORATION
LUCIUS BOOMER
President
MAURICE NEWTON
........
CLARKSON POTTER
AUGUSTUS NULLE
Vice-President
Vice-President
....
Secretary and Treasurer
DIRECTORS
SIR EDWARD W. BEATTY, G. B. E.
Chairman of the Board and President,
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
GEORGE MacDONALD
STUART McNAMARA
McNamara & Seymour
LUCIUS BOOMER
ROBERT
MAURICE NEWTON
CASSATT
K.
Cassatt and
Hallgarten and
Company
AUGUSTUS NULLE
JEFFERSON COOLIDGE
T.
Vice-President, First National
Bank
of Boston
ARTHUR
CLARKSON POTTER
Hayden, Stone and Company
V.
DAVIS
Chairman, Aluminum Company
of
Company
ALFRED
P.
SLOAN,
Jr.
Chairman, General Motors
America
Corporation
THOMAS
N.
Chamber
President,
St. Louis,
SAMUEL
DYSART
of
Commerce,
Mo.
L.
FRANK
W. SMITH
DONALD
FULLER
HAROLD
A.
Tea Company
Pacific
PERCY
J.
E.
TALBOTT,
Jr.
JOHNSTON
Chairman, Chemical Bank
TRIPPE
JOHN
Pan American
L.
WEEKS
Luke, Banks & Weeks
CLARENCE
HERMANN KINNICUTT
Kidder, Peahody and
T.
Airways, Inc.
HOROWITZ
H.
JUAN
President,
and Trust Company
G.
Company
HARTFORD
President, Great Atlantic and
LOUIS
STRALEM
Rodney and Company
Fuller,
JOHN
S.
Hallgarten and
Company
M.
WOOLLEY
Chairman, American Radiator
and Sanitary Corporation
T Volumes
have been written* about the old
™ Waldorf-Astoria and the new
about their
.
.
.
physical features, their radical innovations in
hotel-keeping
.
.
which they have
.
public and social
From
the very
and about the unique place
in the traditions of
life.
day of
its
opening
old Waldorf-Astoria established
made
in 1893, the
a reputation for pioneering
which has
was
dorf-Astoria
new Wal-
1929, the
projected.
Plans
for
interest.
Like those drawn for
predecessor
its
three decades previously, their completeness
and extraordinary scope marked a new era
American hotel.
In every detail of
ment, the
new
its
architecture
new Waldorf-Astoria
that in
many
respects
is
it is
and equip-
so essentially
far in advance
of anything of
its
Waldorf-Astoria
same
new Waldorf-Astoria has
.
.
.
the world's tallest, most
modern hotel.
Immediately upon the closing
*Some
time, the
kind in the world. At the
ried on the traditions
of the old
of the books about
in
the development of the
been amplified by every feature of the new
spacious, most
this
tremendous undertaking aroused world-wide
new standards
equipment, and in service.
in hotel design, in
It
American
May
Waldorf-Astoria, in
car-
and prestige which were
associated with the original hotel.
The Waldorf-Astoria:
THE STORY OF THE WALDORF-ASTORIA
THE OLD WALDORF-ASTORIA BAR BOOK
6y Edward Hungerford—G. P. Putnam's Sons
by Albert Stevens Crockett— A.
PEACOCK ALLEY
100
by McCarthy and Rutherford—Harper & Bros.
S.
Crockett
FAMOUS COCKTAILS
prepared in collaboration with
PEACOCKS ON PARADE
Oscar of The Waldorf— Kenilworth Press
by Albert Stevens Crockett— Sears Publishing Co.
OLD WALDORF BAR DAYS
THE WALDORF-ASTORIA
by Albert Stevens Crockett— Aventine Press
by Henry B. Lent, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria Corporation
FIVE DISTINCT PURPOSES
and the economic
Five separate and distinct major purposes are
the facilities of a great hotel
predominant
advantage of no capital investment and
Astoria
in the operation of
The Waldorf-
rangements terminable
:
First:
To provide thoroughly comfortable
Third:
To
provide
at
ar-
will.
restaurant
services
accommodations and superlative service for the
worthy of the unique traditions of The Waldorf-
occasional or transient visitor.
Astoria; the widest possible choice of cuisine,
Second: To provide residence suites for
ultra-modern living in town
suites which
combine the qualities of the private home with
.
.
.
and all modern arrangements for preparation
and service of fine foods.
Fourth: To provide self-contained accom-
Page Three
modations for public functions such as
balls,
architectural features, equipment
and furnish-
banquets, expositions, conventions, receptions,
ings as well as organization arrangements to
and other large gatherings.
carry out each of the separate purposes named;
concerts, theatricals
A
complete stage with dressing rooms and
modern
air,
electrical
arrangements, conditioned
movietone and technicolor apparatus and
sound amplification are among the
To
and
attractive
for private social affairs
accommodations
Each of these five general divisions involves
means
organization
and
to
claim that the new Waldorf-Astoria
an advance beyond
to this era as great
other hotels as the old Waldorf-Astoria did
it
was opened
and became
in the nineties
a symbol and model.
separate and self-contained physical and staff
departments. In other words, there are special
time, each unit has the benefit
All this entitles The Waldorf-Astoria Man-
when
and entertaining.
same
unexcelled general
agement
provide, largely by rooms en suite,
the most correct
an
mechanical plant.
facilities
of this general department.
Fifth:
while, at the
of
It
is
again, quoting the
"the unofficial Palace of
New York
New York."
Times,
THE BUILDING
The Waldorf-Astoria occupies a double block
from Park to Lexington Avenues, between 49th
and 50th Streets. The building is an exceptionally fine example of modern American architecture. It is massive and of great height. At
the same time it is admirably proportioned and
its
strong vertical lines are entirely devoid of
superfluous ornament. The building
is
open on
and air.
The exterior has been so designed that a
number of open-air terraces are provided for
the use of patrons in connection with some of
the residential suites, the Starlight Roof and
building. In the
^
Rising centrally above the main lobby of the
shaft
more than 80,000
limestone were used. Face bricks to harmonize
made espeThe Waldorf-Astoria. The equivalent
with the Indiana limestone were
cially for
of 3,000,000 bricks of ordinary size were used.
In addition to the face brick, 8,000,000 ordi-
nary bricks went into the building.
The metal trim throughout
all sides to light
other rooms.
main
cubic feet of selected light silver grey Indiana
the exterior of
the building for entrances, shop fronts, win-
dows and so on is of bronze and nickel bronze.
Marquees of nickel bronze, indirectly and semidirectly lit, are placed over two entrances.
Over the main entrance on Park Avenue is a
winged symbolic
figure,
"Spirit
of Achieve-
building are the two great Towers designed
ment," done in gleaming nickel bronze, by
especially for residential suites.
Nina Saemundsson.
The interiors have been designed
The hotel is supported on huge steel columns
whose footings rest on solid rock. The sub-structure alone required 2,000 tons of steel, while
in the superstructure 25,000 tons
were used.
This contract was one of the largest in years.
More than 3,000 cubic
feet of cut
Swenson
pink granite were used for the base of the
way
that they have varied interest
in
such a
and
at the
same time are harmonious when entered from
one gallery or room to another. Rich natural
materials such as marbles, matched woods,
marquetry panels and various kinds of stones,
bronzes and nickel bronzes have been used for
Page Five
the interiors.
Lighting throughout the
public rooms
is
Modern
large
and semi-direct.
indirect
general treatment but retaining
in
and periods, the
the influence of classic details
and dignified in
The Waldorf-Astoria was designed
by Schultze & Weaver, architects, and built by
interiors are simple, spacious
character.
Thompson-Starrett Co., Inc.
WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL
The new Waldorf-Astoria is the largest and
tallest hotel in the world. The building covers
81,337 square feet ... is 200 feet 10 inches
NUMBER AND
Although the largest hotel
wide by 405
.
able size. Spaciousness
have an average
responding ones in any other hotel of compar-
in other leading hotels.
.
.
.
with
to a
its
47
maximum
stories
height
ROOMS
The W aldorf-Astoria is not largest
in number of rooms
due to the fact that,
on an average, its rooms are larger than cor-
structure.
.
.
of 625 feet 7 inches.
SIZE OF
in the world, as a
long
feet
and twin towers reaching
distinctive of
This
is
one of the qualities
is
The Waldorf. The guest rooms
size of over
9.500 cubic
feet.
considerably larger than similar rooms
WIDE CHOICE OF ROOMS
The privacy
rooms
of all
is
protected by en-
trance halls or vestibules. In addition, they are
The
annoyance of knocking.
bedrooms and
living rooms,
various sizes, adapted to meet
other hotel provides wider
choice of rooms and
cial built-in sets of
suites are of
all the
varying
requirements of the occasional visitor and the
suites.
Closets are unusually capacious, while spe-
sound-proofed. Electric bells at each door eliminate the
No
term-resident.
drawers and cupboards for
storage of clothing are provided in
bedrooms. Every
and perfect room
many
of the
facility exists for expeditious
service.
THE TOWER RESIDENCE SUITES
In
Towers, residential
the
suites
are
avail-
able for rental by the day, the month, the year
.
.
.
whatever term patrons desire. Large suites
apartment.
trained staff
is
Complete service by a Waldorfis
included in the
supplied from the
Home
provide adequate accommodations for families
to individual preferences.
with children and servants. Other suites vary
cial
in size
suites
from two rooms upwards. Some of the
have spacious outside garden terraces.
Each
suite
is
a
self-contained
residence
provisions,
such
cost.
Catering
Kitchen according
There are many speas
boudoir-dressing
rooms, separate entrances, special elevators,
and other exclusive
utmost privacy.
Page Six
services,
to
ensure the
;
FUNCTIONS AND ENTERTAINING
The
and scope of the arrangements
extent
Entirely
self-contained
accommodations
of
and private entertaining
various capacities between these two extremes
are indicated by the fact that specially designed
accommodations exist, on the one hand, for
are provided, so that each public function and
private social affair
private parties and. on the other, for gather-
setting. For these purposes, too. separate eleva-
for public functions
ings of as
many
as 4.000 persons.
tor,
With some 2.000 rooms, including 300
suites,
resi-
ballrooms, dining rooms, res-
rooms and
taurants, lounges, corridors, club
private
entertaining
suites.
The
Waldorf-
Astoria presented a furnishing problem of unusual magnitude and complexity.
Leading
interior
decorators
of
America.
England. France and Sweden collaborated to
solve
L.
it.
its
appropriate
food and other services are installed.
HUGE FURNISHING PROBLEM
A
dential
may have
Willson.
New York; Jacques Bodart. Inc.,
New York; Mr. R. T. H. Halsey;
Inc..
Paris and
Maison Jansen. Paris; Mr. Francis Lenygon
of Lenygon & Morant. London and New \ ork
Nordiska Kompaniet of Stockholm. Sweden;
Mrs. Charles H. Sabin. New York; Schmeig.
Hungate & Kotzian of New York; W. & J.
Sloane. New York; Nathan Straus & Sons. Inc..
New York; Mr.
They included:
Alavoine & Co. of Paris and
New York:
Charles Allom of White. Allom & Co..
London and New York: Barton. Price and
Sir
A. Rutledge-Smith. Consulting
Decorator of the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria Cor-
and Arthur
poration
;
don and
New
S.
Vernay. Inc. of Lon-
York.
NO STANDARDIZATION
From
laid
tion
the start one imperative condition
down.
was
room and
suite,
it
was stipulated, should have
was that stereotyped standardiza-
individual character such as would be sought
or anything approaching "hotel atmos-
in a private residence distinguished at once for
It
phere"" should be entirely excluded.
Each guest
its
Page Seven
comfort and the quality of
its taste.
ESSENTIALLY HOMELIKE CHARACTER
In keeping with the aim of essentially homecharacter,
like
furniture
the
based upon
is
when domestic furnishing
that of the periods
attained peaks of excellence. Thus, the best
At the same time
it
was by no means over-
is a modern
demanded something more than
looked that The Waldorf-Astoria
hotel
that
pedantic reproductions.
works of the early American period, the 18th
Consequently, while the best traditions of
Century English period when such master-de-
domestic furnishings were respected, original
signers and craftsmen as the
Adam
Brothers,
Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite
and the
ished,
flour-
Louis Quinze and Louis
fine
adaptations, in
harmony with them, were made
to utilize to the full later
requirements of modern
Seize periods in France are represented.
achievements in the
decorative and furnishing arts and to meet the
taste.
TRADITIONAL FEATURES
Many
of the old
which had an especial significance for patrons
Waldorf are retained in the new
such as Peacock Alley, the Empire Room and the Astor
Gallery. Paintings and other decorative details
priately designed settings with excellent effect
of the traditional features
.
.
Waldorf are used
of the old
in the
in
new and appro-
new Waldorf-Astoria.
PRIVACY
Various provisions have been made to add
to the
convenience of guests and patrons and
and elevator services are so
Entrances
ar-
ranged that patrons need not enter the public
way
parts of the hotel
when on
Astoria Driveway, bisecting the building from
rooms and
Separate passenger and
49th to 50th Streets, enables patrons to go
di-
vice elevators serve the public rooms, enter-
own
tainment suites and residential sections of the
to assure privacy.
rectly
from
their
Thus, a private Waldorf-
automobiles
to
their
rooms, or to functions in the hotel, by conveniently located entrances
and elevators.
suites.
hotel. Private foyers
their
to their
and separate room,
ser-
kitch-
en and food services assure privacy.
MODERN HOTEL SCIENCE
Among
other features contributed to the
new
the
principal broadcasting stations from
all
Waldorf-Astoria by modern hotel science are
parts of the world can be transmitted through-
Movietone, Music Reproduction and Public Address facilities
will,
out the hotel. Patrons are also able to listen, at
Reidio, Television,
installed throughout the building.
tral
receiving apparatus,
From
a cen-
radio programs of
and
in the
privacy of their
own rooms,
to
speeches and music from the various public
rooms of the
hotel itself. Portable movietone
machines are available for private
Page Eight
use.
Sound-Proof Rooms: The sound volume
radios
is
of
carefully regulated to prevent annoy-
ance to patrons in adjoining rooms. As further
unusual
protection,
taken to
make
rooms sound-proof.
the
Conditioned Air: The
public rooms
is
been
have
precautions
air
smart shops
Attractive
arcades
of
with attractive merchandise
filled
are conveniently located in the hotel.
Telephone Typewriter System: An
auto-
matic telephone and telephone typewriter sys-
the principal
in
Arcades of Shops:
conditioned and kept at an
even temperature by a Carrier cooling, dehu-
tem provides a complete network of interior
in The Waldorf-Astoria, and
prompt reception of messages
communications
facilitates the
and execution of
midifying and humidifying installation.
instructions.
The Foreign Department has been created to
Circulating Ice Water: Circulating
is
available throughout the hotel.
Telephones:
water
ice
-
assist
foreign-speaking visitors to enjoy to the
utmost the
Each bedroom has connections
for two telephones. Portable instruments
may
New York
resources
Interpreters
City.
ferent languages are available
be placed in the position most convenient for
the Foreign Department.
either night-time or day-time use.
of
For the Convenience of the Hard of Hear-
man, and
ing: At the public telephone
Floor, north side,
is
station.
Lobby
a booth specially equipped
for the use of patrons
who may have
difficulty
in hearing distinctly with standard equipment.
It
will be
found especially helpful for long
dis-
men who
There
is
The
twenty
in
dif-
by telephoning
office is in
charge
converse in French. Spanish, Ger-
Italian
I
others quickly available).
also a Latin-American representative
and a Steamship representative.
Services: These
Organization
Convention
Bureau.
Office,
Steamship
Cook and Sons
tance and overseas calls.
The Waldorf and
of
include
a
Shopping Bureau. Travel
Representative.
travel
Thomas
"About-the-City
office.
Bureau." Entertainment Bureau and Foreign
Correspondence and Messages:
provisions
ensure
promptitude
the
utmost
Special
privacy
and
in respect to mail, telegram, cable,
telephone and messenger services, including
immediate mail delivery
Carriage Calls:
to
rooms.
all
may
use
when leaving
assistance of
Waldorf patrons.
to ample
Lighting: In addition
reflection
from the
rooms
ceiling.
lighting to suit all tastes,
with double the usual
the hotel.
installation
of reading and table lamps, an unusual provision in the living
Carriage calls enable pa-
trons to call their motor cars to any^pf the
exits they
Department, providing expert services for the
is
illumination by
To ensure
efficient
rooms are equipped
number
of outlets.
MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL
The management
of
The Waldorf-Astoria
is
under the expert direction of Lucius Boomer,
president of the corporation,
the
late
Astoria.
Waldorf,
George Boldt
Many members
including
at
the
who succeeded
old
Waldorf-
of the staff of the old
Augustus
Nulle.
Oscar
Tschirky
("Oscar
of
the
Waldorf"),
Frank A. Ready, manager of the
sociated actively with the
This
is
new Waldorf-Astoria.
an assurance of continuance of Waldorf
traditions
and of the exceptional qualities of
service available.
Page Xine
and
hotel, are as-
Executives and Heads of Departments
President
Lucius Boomer
Treasurer
Augustus Nulle
Frank A. Ready
Oscar of the Waldorf
J. F. Carney
W. I. Hamilton
Gabriel Lugot
Nora Foley
Henry Vas Dias
John A. Klugherz
Manager
of the Hotel
Host
Official
Superintendent of Building
Personnel Director
Director of Kitchens
Executive Housekeeper
Chief Accountant
Senior Assistant Manager
Assistant
Joseph M. Farrell
James
Josephine
F.
Mische
F.
Henry
Joseph
L.
B.
Karl Kemm
Williams
Bowling
Luehs
Harry Hassell
Superintendent of Service
McDermott
Credit
Simons
Steamship Pier Representative
Killackey
F.
N.
Wangemann
F. C.
^ight Manager
W.
Gordon
F.
Front Office Manager
Supervisor Front Office Cashiers
John
Gilday
F.
Swetman
F. A.
Managers
Frank Gregory
Head House Officer
Manager
Foreign Department
F.
V.
Mrs. B. Lazo Steinman
Dell'Agnese
von der Lin
Assistants to Oscar
W. M. Willy
Rudolph Stiasny
Claude Philippe
Entertainment Department
Joseph P. Hoenig, Manager
Assistants
Adolph Fischer
Eva
T.
McAdoo
About-the-City Bureau
Ted Saucier
Publicity Department
Dr. A. A.
Moore
Medical Department
Joseph Boland
Head Porter
Fred Tasker
Head
E.
Olsen
E.
Truman Wright
George Denhofer
Banquet Head Waiter
"Theodore"
"Ambrose"
Empire Room Head Waiter
Theodore Kemm
"Frank"
Thos.
Sert
Room Head
4th Floor Dining
Carney
"Robert"
Norse Grill Head Waiter
Rene Black
Manager of
'"Lewis"
Paul Gawenus
Room
18th Floor Services
Service
Head
Waiter. 19th Floor
Rebekah Hufcut
Lounge Cafe Head Waiter
Steward
F.
Chief Engineer
Waiter
"'Ralph"
Fred Greely
Manager. Cigar Department
Dietitian. 19th Floor
Enderly
Employment Manager
Jane
C. T.
Alice Trainor
Chief Operator. Telephone Department
Waiter
W ine Steward
The Waldorf Bar Head Waiter
Valet
Henry Stole
Rooms— Head
F.
Meyer
Supervisor of Floor Clerks
H. R. Martin
Supt. Mechanical Communications
Harriet Mishler
Lost and Found Department
GROUND FLOOR
ENTRANCES
•
ELEVATORS
ELEVATOR LOBBIES
•
WALDORF PRIVATE DRIVEWAY
•
CHEMICAL BANK
SAVARIN RESTAURANT
SHOPS
•
TOWER OFFICE
•
•
ENTRANCES
There are three main general entrances on the
Ground
Floor. Also there are a
cial entrances
number
of spe-
designed for special purposes.
General and special entrances alike are so
planned as
egress
to facilitate convenient entry
from and
and
to all points in the hotel.
MAIN GENERAL ENTRANCES
From Park Avenue, midway between
49th and
Lobby
the East Elevator
will be
found Story's
50th Streets. Gives direct access to shops and
original Carrara marble statue, "Cleopatra."
through Waldorf Arcades on Ground Floor
also the statue, "Attitude of Flight."
elevator lobbies.
from 50th
Street,
to.
Tower Apartments' entrances
and Waldorf Driveway bisect-
ing building between 49th and 50th Streets.
Also gives access, by stairway,
to
Men may
arcade, to
Park Avenue main entrance. Also gives
Main Lobby on
to
Bank,
Savarin
and,
Restaurant
through
Waldorf Driveway. In
gallery
this
and
and
lobby will
be noted Benzoni's great statue, "The Flight
this entrance.
Apartments" entrance from 50th Street, and
to
Floor,
Chemical
Double entrance from Waldorf Driveway.
Gives direct access, on Ground Floor, to elevator lobbies. Waldorf Arcades. Shops. Tower
by stairway,
Ground
Main Foyer
on First Floor. The Waldorf Bar for
be entered from
From Lexington Avenue, midway between
49th and 50th Streets. Gives direct access, on
to
access,
First Floor.
At
from Pompeii." for many years a familiar
feature of the old Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom.
This entrance also gives access, by stairways,
to the East
Gallery on the First Floor. These
stairways continue from the First Floor up-
wards
to the Third, or
Grand Ballroom Floor.
SPECIAL ENTRANCES
Grand Ballroom Entrance, and by
elevators or
through arcade,
to
Ballroom elevator lobby on
stairway from 49th Street. Gives direct access,
Ground
on the Ground Floor,
to a set of elevators serving
to the
Ballroom elevator
Floor. This entrance also leads directly
rooms on the
resi-
lobby, to the Ballroom Gallery and to check-
dential floors of the hotel.
rooms on the Third Floor.
Grand Ballroom Entrance, from Waldorf
Driveway. Lexington Avenue side. Leads,
50th Street, between Waldorf Driveway and
Private Entrance to
Tower Apartments, from
Park Avenue. Reserved for exclusive use of
Page Eleven
Tower Apartment residents and their guests.
Leads to Tower elevators.
Adjoining are waiting room and Concierge
office reserved for service of Tower residents
and
guests.
From
this entrance, access is also given to
arcades, shops
and elevators serving the
hotel,
main Park Avenue entrance.
Tower Apartments, from
Park Avenue west side of Waldorf Driveway.
Reserved for exclusive use of Tower Apartment
residents and their guests. Gives direct access to
the Tower Apartment elevator lobby and the
Tower elevators.
and
to the
Private Entrance to
SERVICE ENTRANCES AND AUTO ELEVATOR
Also on the Ground Floor are a number of
service entrances including a large service en-
trance from the Lexington
Avenue
Waldorf Driveway, near 50th
side of
The
The automobile elevator enables automobiles
and other large exhibits
to
be taken directly to
rooms from The Waldorf Driveway.
the
Service entrances and elevators are so located
Street.
This entrance gives direct access to a large
automobile elevator serving the Grand Ball-
as
to
provide for
all
demands upon them,
without interference in any way with the regu-
room and adjacent rooms which may be used
lar entrances
for exhibitions.
for use of patrons of the hotel.
and elevators which are designed
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
The walls of entrance lobbies, galleries and
Waldorf Arcades on the Ground Floor are of
Rockwood stone. Cornices, trim, doors and
other details are of nickel bronze. The floors are
of various kinds of marbles and terrazzos.
The Ballroom stairway, from 49th Street, is
of travertine stone and Belgian black marble
The elevator lobby walls on the Park Avenue
side of The Waldorf Driveway are of Rockwood
with rouge-colored marble terrazzo.
walnut burl, Carpathian elm.
stone with cornices and elevator doors in silver.
The Ballroom and Tower
elevators are de-
signed in modern character based upon early
classic
woods
work. The elevators are done in various
.
.
.
harewood, pollard oak. French
WALDORF DRIVEWAY
The private Waldorf Driveway bisects the^hotel
from 49th to 50th Streets midway between Park
From
and Lexington Avenues.
ing.
Completely roofed over, the Driveway
90
feet
Driveway a number of entrances
Patrons are able, by using The Waldorf
is
Driveway, to proceed directly from their auto-
feet long. It has and inteample space for turning.
mobiles, under cover, to any part of the hotel.
wide and 200
rior oval, giving
the
give immediate access to all parts of the build-
SAVARIN RESTAURANT AND SODA FOUNTAIN
A
large Savarin Restaurant with counter and
table service occupies the 50th Street
and Lex-
ington Avenue corner of the
Floor.
Ground
The walls are of Carpathian elm with inmodern arabesques of inlaid woods.
All equipment is of nickel bronze. The colteresting
Page Thirteen
umns
are
ebony with
of
rative
scheme
is
general
a
color
The decomodern, employing mosaics
scheme of black, brown and
silver.
and tiles. Lighting is semi-indirect.
The Savarin is planned for the convenient
use of business
men and women
desiring spe-
cially expeditious
and
less
formal service than
that of the usual large hotel restaurant.
A com-
plete soda fountain with booth table service
a feature. The Savarin is readily accessible
from the Lexington Avenue main entrance and
from inside the hotel.
is
CHEMICAL BANK
Premises
Trust
leased
by the
Company occupy
Chemical
Bank &
the 49th Street
and
walnut and nickel bronze. The bank, with safe
deposit vaults for jewelry and other valuables,
Lexington Avenue corner of the Ground Floor.
and
These premises are designed
Waldorf patrons. It is acessible from Lexington Avenue and from the hotel.
in
keeping with
the rest of the hotel, materials being
American
its facilities is
particularly convenient for
CARRIAGE CALLS
Specially designed carriage calls, arranged to
exit,
enable patrons to call their automobiles to any
the
are installed at the various entrances on
Ground Floor
in plain sight of chauffeurs.
THE WALDORF BAR - EXCLU SIVELY FOR MEN
This room,
at the
corner of Park Avenue and
and steps
that lead into
it
are of black Belgian
49th Street, has three entrances: one on Park
marble. Yellow, blue and black blend in the
and one opening
The room is circu-
colorful design that covers the floor, and the
Avenue, one on 49th
Street,
into the arcade of the hotel.
lar except that
one wall
is
convex rather than
concave. The "stand-up bar"
There are seating
The bar
is
is
facilities for
60
feet long.
modern chromium tables have blue tops. Lightbrown leather covers the benches built around
the walls, as well as the easy chairs.
The decorative scheme and appointments
about 200.
Brazilian rosewood, in keeping
were planned
to
The room
produce a "club-like" atmos-
open for food and beverage
with the curved walls of the room, which are
phere.
completely finished in fine woods. Columns in
service on week-days
the
room are
of red marble, and the platforms
attention
Page Fourteen
is
is
from luncheon
on. Special
given to food that appeals to men.
FIRST FLOOR
LOUNGE CAFE AND NEWLOUNGE RESTAURANT
OFFICES
•
SHOPS
MAIN FOYER
•
.
NORSE GRILL
•
SERT ROOM
REGISTRATION, INFORMATION AND MAIL DESKS
TICKET AGENCY
•
NEWS AND CIGAR STANDS
•
BARBER SHOP
•
EMPIRE ROOM
•
EAST GALLERY
PEACOCK ALLEY
•
•
BROKERS
•
MAIN LOBBY
TRAVEL BUREAU ABOUT-THE-CITY BUREAU THEATRE
•
•
•
•
NORTH AND SOUTH LOUNGES
•
RECEPTION LOUNGE
MAIN FOYER
The Main Foyer, which
serves as the chief
reception hall of the building,
Avenue
side of the First Floor,
tween 49th and 50th
directly
is
Streets. It is
and doorways are of Rockwood
piers
on the Park
The
midway
gian black and rouge-colored terrazzo.
be-
approached
by a wide stairway from the Park Ave-
floor
is
laid with travertine stone
Semi-indirect lighting
is
stone.
and Bel-
given from a large
Victor rose marble panel in the center of
St.
nue entrance on the Ground Floor and from
the ceiling. Also,
various parts of the hotel.
ver urns, placed symmetrically about the room,
The design of the Main Foyer is modern with
Pompeian influence. Walls, columns.
classic
from eight large gold and
reflected lighting
is
slightly
is
provided. The
more than
fifty feet
sil-
Main Foyer
square.
FRIEZE BY RIGAL
The series of paintings forming the frieze of
the Main Foyer are by the distinguished French
artist, Louis Rigal. These paintings form a
single conception and are done in classicmodern style recalling work of Burne-Jones.
The subjects are hunting, fishing and other
scenes relating to the procuring of food, to
dancing and rhythm. The
drinking,
eating,
frieze
was designed
to
harmonize perfectly
in
coloring and conception with the furnishings
and carpets of the room, the carpets also being
designed by Rigal.
"WHEEL OF LIFE" RUG
is trie re-
baby awakens. The second group represents
markable rug designed by Rigal, called "The
youth and friendship. The third depicts the
Wheel of
struggle for life, with its defeats and disasters.
The fourth group represents domestic felicity
and mature serenity. In the fifth and sixth
groups. "The Wheel of Life" turns full circle
to old age and death.
Another feature of the Main Foyer
Life." This rug,
center of the
Main Foyer,
which occupies the
is
48
feet
square
with a central medallion 18 feet in diameter.
In this central medallion are six groups of
life-sized figures united
by a rich
floral
"fond."
These six groups depict the drama of human
from birth to old age and death.
The first group shows the happiness of a
mother, father and relatives as a newly-born
existence
Between
smaller
each
symbolic
of
the
figures
larger
groups are
expressive
of
the
emotions and main characteristics in the varied
and colorful drama of human
Page Fifteen
life.
beauty and warmth of old Empire decoraThe Empire Room
tion in a charming restaurant where the smart world gathers to
.
.
.
dine informally. This
The Sert Room
.
.
.
room may be reserved for private parties.
gay rendezvous where cosmo-
politan New York dances and
tained at dinner and supper.
The Norse
Grill,
on
tin-
is
brilliantly enter-
Lexington Avenue side
just off the East Call cry.
is
OTHER CARPETS
More than 2,300 square yards of hand-tufted
rugs were made to Rigal's designs for this
floor alone.
pets
Wheel
Throughout
related
are
same
is
carried out
color, three or four
shades of deep French rose being used to
"The
achieve a related background of plain, and at
Life" design setting the keynote.
of
central field of all the rugs
this floor all the car-
color and detail,
in
The
in self-tones of the
same
the
time, rich
and dignified
effect.
THE TERRACE COURT
Park Avenue entrance
Just above the
The
to
Waldorf-Astoria, the Terrace Court, between
the Sert
and Empire Rooms,
is
one of the most
popular centers of smart
cocktail time.
on the Sert
It
is
Room
New York
at tea
and
served from a service bar
side.
THE SERT ROOM
The
Sert
and 50th
room
is
Room
occupies the
Street corner of the
named
in
Park Avenue
Main
honor of Jose Maria
the distinguished Spanish painter
paintings characterize
The mural
Sert,
whose mural
fill twenty huge
from a Spanish mar-
paintings, which
"The Marriage of Quiteria,"
scribed in Cervantes'
to
rank among the greatest of
"Don Quixote." Art
modern
The whole composition is treated almost in
monochrome
light and dark brown on a
.
.
.
background, with deep red hangings.
Each panel forms an architectural composition.
The Sert Room is 90 feet by 50 feet in size
de-
and
ex-
of
perts have declared that the paintings are likely
all
masterpieces of mural painting.
silver
it.
panels, represent scenes
riage feast.
The
Floor.
is
new method
and installed for The
illuminated by an entirely
lighting,
devised
Waldorf by Rudolph Wendel.
THE EMPIRE ROOM
The Empire Room, also 90 feet by 50 feet, occupies the Park Avenue and 49th Street corner
of the First Floor. This room recalls one of
similar name and character in the old
T\ aldorf-Astoria, and is designed in a^modern
and dignified Empire style interpretation.
The walls
and finished
are
done
in light
harewood,
in
grey
.
.
.
stained
wainscoting and
pilasters of Serpentine green marble. All orna-
mentation and decoration in the room are of
gold and silver with paintings. Lighting
indirect
from sconces and
is
ceiling fixtures.
PEACOCK ALLEY
Main Foyer.
Several volumes have been written about this
and cornices are of nickel bronze. Here will
be noted the Carrara marble statue, "The Read-
famous feature of the old Waldorf which
ing Girl," by Magni, and "Leda and the Swan."
Peacock Alley
now
is
entered from the
is
Display cabinets of curly maple, finished
incorporated in the new.
Peacock Alley
is
paneled with French wal-
in
grey satin and brilliantly illuminated from
nut burl inlaid with ebony. Pilasters on the
top and sides, line the Alley. These showcases
walls are of rouge French marble. Capitals
are for the display of fine jewelry, potteries
Page Seventeen
and other
specialties,
New York
by leading
merchants. In the north end of Peacock Alley
is
ADJOINING P
Adjoining Peacock Alley are elevator lobbies,
stairways,
hairdresser's salon,
a
portrait
life-size
painted by the famous
artist.
"Oscar."
of
Paul Trebilcock.
[COCK ALLEY
The
walls
of
lobbies
elevator
the
of
are
and
French walnut with ebony trim. Doors of the
offices.
elevators are of nickel bronze and blue steel.
ladies'
men's rooms, telephone room, brokers'
displayed the
MAIN LOBBY
In the center of the First Floor
Lobby. The Main Lobby
ous
offices.
tion.
is
These include
is
Main
the
surrounded by
offices
vari-
for Registra-
Information. Mail. Assistant Managers.
Cashier. Porters. Theatre Ticket Stand.
News
and gold marble. Capitals on the
cornices are of nickel bronze.
finished in nickel bronze
and
pilasters
The
and
ceiling
ivory.
The
is
en-
trance doors leading to different spaces off
the
Main Lobby have small columns
of
ebony
and Cigar Counters.
with nickel bronze capitals.
The walls of the Main Lobby, which is 82
by 62 feet, are covered with Oregon
maple burl. Columns and pilasters are black
ards which throw light to the ceiling, whence
feet
The Main Lobby
it is
reflected
is
indirectly
lit
throughout the room
from stand-
in soft tones.
PERSIAN GARDEN RUG -MAIN LOBBY
A feature of the Main Lobby is the Persian
Garden rug specially designed for this room
and believed to be the largest hand-tufted rug
ever woven in a single piece.
The carpet, which in design is an adaptation
Garden carpet made
Kirman about 1640 and described by Dr.
four canals. The canals and pools, represented
in soft greens, in turn
cluding
are
in
ranged
F. H. Martin, the
noted authority on Oriental
"vivid illustration of the Spring Carpet
of Chosroes."
is
70
long by 49 feet
feet 2 inches
feature of the design, which
is
carried
out in garden plots of blue, red and gold,
central pool
water-fowl, water-lilies and a vari-
depicted trees
in a
manner
Upon
the garden plots
and flowering plants
typical of the
Gardens of Omar's time.
The carpet took ten months
ar-
famous Per-
sian
thirty
to
make, with
weavers devoting their entire time
to the
work. The hand-tufting involved the tying by
11 inches wide.
One
fish,
ety of aquatic plants.
of a remarkable Persian
art, as a
form a background for
a wealth of quaint and animated details in-
from which radiate
at right
is
a
angles
hand of 12.600.000 knots, the same process
being employed as has been followed in Persia
and throughout the Orient for centuries.
NORTH LOUNGE
On
the
the 50th Street side of the
North
Lounge.
Walls
Main Lobby is
of Belgium
are
black and golden Sienna marble with pollard
oak wood veneer. Ventilating panels are of
carved oak. Lighting
to the ceiling
Page Eighteen
is
from niches
the whole room.
reflected
and thence
to
THE LOUMGE CAFE
The
general arrangement of these rooms
the
manner
of
a
is
in
French cafe with benches
built along the walls. In the cafe the tables,
which are topped with green rubber, have
amusing cartoons by Tony Sarg cut into the
rubber. Tony Sarg also decorated "The Oasis"
across the corridor
popular rendezvous
from "The Cafe." This
at the
TOM
A1SD
is
a
SARG'S OASIS
Above the wainscot line the walls of the
Lounge Cafe are covered with silver shell
from the Philippines, known as "Kapa-gold."
The ceiling is of silver and blue mirrors and
sanacoustic
tile,
which
Carrier Engineering process
the
room comfortable
Cocktail Hour.
decorative and also
is
"sound deadens" the room. Air conditioning by
at
makes
this
anv season.
THE NEW LOUMGE RESTAURAMT
is located just off the Main
Lobby and opens from the Lounge Cafe. The
amusing caricatures decorating the walls of
this room are by Xavier Cugat. the famous
orchestra leader. One of the distinctive fea-
This restaurant
tures of this restaurant
is
its
floor with specially lighted
unusual dance
border in chang-
ing colors. This restaurant gives one the impression of a charming informal night club.
Dinner and supper dancing.
SOUTH LOU7SGE
On
Main Lobby is
Lounge which corresponds to the
North Lounge on the 50th Street side. Here
The North and South Lounges, carpeted in
blue-green with furniture in harmony with the
rooms, form a contrast to the rouge coloring
again indirect lighting
of adjoining Peacock Alley.
the 49th Street side of the
the South
is
used.
GALLERY FROM
A
MAIJS
LOBBY
connecting gallery runs from the Main
Lobby to the East Gallery on the Lexington
Avenue side of the building. On the 49th Street
ered with figured Japanese ash veneer inlaid
and
Running parallel with the central gallery are
corridors from the North and South Lounge
side of this connecting gallery are shops,
offices
Street
of the telegraph companies.
side
serve the
are
main
The walls
located the
On
the 50th
elevators
which
with ebony. The big piers and columns in this
gallery are of ebony. Lighting
which also lead
to the
is
semi-indirect.
East Gallery.
rooms, elevators, smart shops and the
hotel building.
of the connecting gallery are cov-
Check
offices
of brokers adjoin the corridors.
EAST GALLERY
The East Gallery on
the Lexington
on the Park Avenue
ash
is
umns
side.
Avenue
on
to
the
Grand Ballroom stairway running
Peacock Alley
up from the Ground Floor. On the Lexington
Figured Japanese
Avenue side of the East Gallery is the stairway from the entrance on the Ground Floor
at Lexington Avenue. Ballroom elevators and
check room adjoin this East Gallery.
side of the building parallels
used for this gallery. Pilasters and
col-
are of serpentine green marble.
At the 49th Street end the East Gallery opens
Page Nineteen
NORSE GRILL
Occupying the 50th
ton Avenue corner,
Grill with
its
own
restaurant
is
77
Street side of the LexingFirst Floor,
is
the Norse
special serving kitchen. This
by 45
feet
beams and mouldings, carved and colored
in
masculine
character.
Planks
of
for the walls.
pilasters, wainscoting and the great
mantelpiece are of French limestone.
A
the Scandinavian manner, give this cafe a distinctively
Columns,
feet.
Massive stone arches combined with wooden
wood have been used
chestnut
noteworthy feature
is
the huge
map
flank-
ing the great stone chimney fireplace and giving the locations of golf clubs, tennis clubs,
yacht clubs, polo
fields,
in the vicinity of
New
and other sport centers
York.
BARBER SHOP
The 49th
Street
and Lexington Avenue corner
green Tinos marble, above which the walls are
occupied by a barber shop.
covered with mirrors. All cabinets and similar
of the First Floor
is
The general color scheme of this shop is green
chrome-orange. The wainscoting is of
and
fixtures are of nickel bronze.
is
one of smartness and
HAI RDRESSING
On
the 49th Street side of the
"Michael
of
the
Waldorf,"
Lobby Floor
operating
is
the
The whole
effect
efficiency.
ROOMS
Beauty Salon and a delightful
little
Barber Shop where hair-cutting
is
Children's
fun.
SECOND FLOOR
Much
of this floor
is
occupied by the upper part of the main rooms which
begin on the First Floor and are two floors high. Also on this floor are the
MAIN KITCHENS
AND CHECK ROOM FOYER
•
•
VARIOUS PANTRIES
DRESSING BOOTHS
•
•
CHECK ROOMS
MEN'S AND LADIES' ROOMS
AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF THE HOTEL CORPORATION
CHECK ROOM FOYER
The Check Room Foyer on
nue side of the
the Lexington Ave-
floor runs parallel
with the
Avenue and meets the Ballroom stairway running up from the 49th Street entrance on the
Ground Floor. The walls are in soft French
grey. Check Room counters and screens are of
walnut with inlays. From a walnut coffered
ceiling are semi-indirect lighting fixtures. Ball-
room and other
elevators
directly on to this
about
it
Check
and stairways open
Foyer. Grouped
Room
are the various check rooms, dressing
rooms, telephone booths, and
Page Twenty
toilets.
THIRD FLOOR
GRAND BALLROOM FOYER
GRAND BALLROOM
WEST FOYER
JADE ROOM
AND GRAND BALLROOM ENTRANCE HALL
WITH
ASTOR
GALLERY
ITS
FOYER
AND
BASILDON ROOM
•
•
•
•
ROOMS
COMBINATION
IN
The Third Floor is designed in such a way
that *all the main rooms and foyers can, at
need, be used in combination with one another
for a single function. Similarly, each
entirely self-contained
room
is
and can be used and
serviced
separately.
In
way
this
without
any over-crowding or waste of space and, consequently, with the utmost
economy
in charges,
each gathering, whether large or small, can
be given
most
its
fitting setting.
THE GRAND BALLROOM
The Grand Ballroom
various rooms there to be dispersed evenly
feet long. Rising
and quietly without creating
Floor,
The same air-conditioning system also serves
the W aldorf Restaurants and public rooms.
it is
is 120 feet wide by 135
from the Third to the Seventh
44 feet high. Running around three
sides of the
room
at the height of the
and Fifth Floors, are two
Fourth
tiers of balconies
and
boxes for dining or spectators.
tral organ,
Decorative Treatment: Decorative treatment of the Grand Ballroom is modern with a
tint of
Orchestral Organ:
grey on the walls, coral rouge hangings,
world,
is
one of the
A
drafts.
great Moller orches-
kind in the
finest of its
installed in the
Grand Ballroom. The
pipes of the organ are screened by a series of
metal grilles in silver and gold
set
with shafts
gold and silver metal work decorations and
of etched glass appliqued with silver.
suffused lighting. Small columns on either side
Movietone,
of the
room between
The lower wainscot
feet
is
the boxes are of silver.
to a height
of about 10
of French escalette marble,
connecting foyer and small ballrooms are
supplied with
maintained
at
filtered,
conditioned air that
is
an even temperature the year
round. The moisture content of the air
strictly regulated for greatest
tus
Technicolor,
Radio:
Full
movietone and technicolor appara-
and radio equipment for world-wide
re-
ception and broadcast transmission are other
Air Conditioning: The Grand Ballroom with
its
theatre-size
is
comfort and can
features of the
Grand Ballroom. Speeches and
music from the Ballroom
mitted to
all
itself
can be trans-
parts of the hotel as well as to
broadcasting stations.
Ballroom Lighting: The
scheme
general
lighting
from the ceiling. A series
moonlight spots from the central por-
is
indirect,
be varied for particular needs.
of direct
Waldorf air-conditioning is accomplished by
the most modern Carrier equipment, located
below the street level whence the conditioned
the four corners of the Ballroom are small
air
is
pumped through
special
ducts to the
tion of the ceiling can be used for dances. In
chambers with color wheels for throwing
ferent colored spotlights to the
Page Twenty-one
dance
dif-
floor.
There
is
also a
scheme of spot lighting from
the ceiling over the proscenium arch. At the
two decorative
sides of the stage are
grilles
forms designed
to facilitate the use of
dining. Also an extension railing
to
be
fitted to these
is
boxes for
available
boxes above the permanent
which conceal the organ pipes.
railing so that the enclosure can be increased
Exhibitions: The Grand Ballroom may be
used for exhibitions. With its balconies and
in height
use.
boxes
Banquet Service Pantries: Behind
it
square
provides a floor area of over 20.000
feet.
Used
in combination,
Third Floor provide a
rooms on
total area
the
of 35.000
square feet for exhibitions.
when the movable platforms are
The boxes are connected by galleries.
able platform in the
Grand Ballroom
banquet service pantry, designed
the
mov-
a large
is
to
in
provide
the most expeditious service possible for the
Grand Ballroom Boxes: The two
tiers of
balconies and boxes running round the
Grand
Ballroom are equipped with movable
plat-
largest
gatherings and
make
the service
of
banquets quite independent of the restaurant
kitchen operations.
GRAND BALLROOM FOYER
On
the 49th Street
of the
and Lexington Avenue side
Grand Ballroom
Foyer. This
is
is
the
Grand Ballroom
designed particularly as an
assembly room for the Grand Ballroom but
can be used separately.
It is
87
feet
by 40
feet.
The Grand Ballroom Foyer is modern
sign. The color scheme is carried out in
in dediffer-
ent tones of ivory with floral patterns on the
ceilings
and walls. Huge
crystal chandeliers
give direct and semi-direct lighting.
GRAND BALLROOM STAIRWAY
At the Lexington Avenue and 49th Street side
Grand Ballroom are the Grand Ballroom Stairway and Grand Ballroom Gallery.
The walls of the stairway are of Travertine
stone paneled with mirrors. The stairway rail-
tion of direct
and semi-direct
central stairway, 16 feet wide,
ings divide the three
of
The
fig-
directly to
top
elevator hall off
ures.
of
is
barrel vaulted with carved
Large crystal lighting fixtures
the stairway ,uive an
at the
interesting combina-
and two side
Columns and railstairways. To the north
stairways, each 9 feet wide.
ings are of Travertine marble with gilt bronze.
ceiling
lighting.
The Grand Ballroom stairway comprises a
of the
up
the
stairway
to the various
Page Twenty-two
is
a
small
elevators which
foyer
go down
leading
to
the
The Waldorf Driveway and
floors of the hotel.
SILVER GALLERY
'The Silver Gallery
piers are of
is
satin finish. All decorations
tures are of silver
The
Gallery in the old Waldorf-Astoria. The Silver
soft grey
Gallery connects the Grand Ballroom, Grand
a gallery of mirrors.
matched harewood with
and
and lighting
crystal.
On
fix-
the ceiling
is a series of paintings by the American artist,
Simmons. These were taken from the Astor
Ballroom Foyer, the Jade
Astor Gallery. Also
it
Room Foyer and
the
forms an approach from
each of these rooms to elevators, stairways,
telephone booths,
and men's rooms.
ladies'
ASTOR GALLERY
The Astor Gallery, occupying the Lexington
Avenue and 49th Street corner of the Third
Floor, is 78 feet by 48 feet. The design is a
modern treatment of Louis Seize character.
A
Panels on the walls depict rhythm and the
The Astor Gallery has its own separate entrance from the Grand Ballroom stairway, and
other entrances from the Foyer off the East
stairway on the Lexington Avenue side midway between 49th and 50th Streets.
dance. Pilasters are finished in ivory, the
room
tones of French greys. All ornaments
itself in
and lighting
fixtures are of gold.
The hang-
ings and rugs are blue-green.
jade
floor
for dancing
the room.
Two
in the
liers
in the side
occupies the center of
large crystal and gold chande-
center with similar chandeliers
aisles
provide the lighting.
ROOM
At the 50th Street and Lexington Avenue corner of the Third Floor is the Jade Room.
the north end of the
same size as the Astor Gallery. It
is approached from the Foyer off the East
stairway on the Lexington Avenue side.
The walls of the Jade Room are painted jade
tal
Foyer
green. All carvings and ornaments are in gold.
are covered with mirrored panels.
This
is
the
Pilasters
and columns of the large window
at
room
mentalto marble. Lighting
are of Italian vert
is
direct,
from
crys-
and gold chandeliers.
The Jade Room and Astor Gallery are con-
nected by the Foyer off the East stairway. This
is
simple in design. Walls and doors
Room
of the Jade
floor
is
made
The center
for dancing.
BASILDO I\ ROOM
Adjoining the Jade
Room. 48
feet
by 37
Room
junction with the Jade
The Basildon Room
is
which
feet,
Room
is
the
is
Basildon
used in con-
or separately.
so-called because
embodies features of rare historical and
tistic interest
reconstructed from a
it
ar-
large 18th
Century salon taken from Basildon Park, Berkshire.
England. Features of the room include
modeled and painted cornices, exceptionally
fine paneling, a marble mantel attributed to
John Flaxman, the sculptor, and oil paintings
attributed to Angelica Kauffman.
One
of the most notable examples of the
dignified, formal style of the
tury architect.
was
also
built
built
famous 18th Cen-
Robert Adam. Basildon Park
by John Carr of York
Harewood
in 1776.
Carr
House, the seat of the
Earl of Harewood. husband of the Princess
Royal of England.
The Kauffman
Page Twenty-three
paintings,
which are of
alle-
and the panels, massive marble mantel and modeled cornices are installed
in The Waldorf-Astoria in their original condition and other details are faithfully repro-
precisely to the original design.
duced from models and records. The panels
ald green.
and cornices extend all around the room. At
regular intervals between the panels are large
acteristic of the social grace
casement mirror doors and curtains reproduced
ture of the 18th Century.
gorical subjects,
The general color scheme,
original design,
light pinks
is
also following the
carried out in greys, gold,
and maroon with touches of emerThe general effect of the room is
and delicate with the formal dignity char-
light
and
artistic cul-
WEST FOYER
The West Foyer, on
the 49th Street side of the
floor adjoining the
Grand Ballroom towards
Park Avenue, can be used
the
feet
in conjunction with
Grand Ballroom or separately. It is 60
by 42 feet. Decorations are in gold, ivory
and
in various soft
At the north end
shades of grey.
is
the stairway to the
first
balcony of Grand Ballroom boxes. The West
Foyer
is
accessible
the stairway in the
from elevators and from
Main Foyer.
ENTRANCES, ELEVATORS, STAIRWAYS
There are ample elevator services and
ways for
all
stair-
parts of the Third Floor. In
all,
and from The Waldorf driveway.
attending functions on the Third
the building
Those
27 passenger and service elevators serve the
Floor need not enter either the Main Lobby
rooms may be ap-
or the ordinary hotel elevators, although ap-
floor in such a
proached
way
in the
that all
most direct manner. Entrances
for use in connection with
rooms on the Third
Floor are provided on the 49th Street side of
proaches are provided from every part of the
hotel.
Cloak and retiring-room accommoda-
tions are
ample for
the largest gatherings.
FOURTH FLOOR
ROOMS AND SUITES DESIGNED FOR PRIVATE ENTERTAINING
INCLUDING JANSEN AND LE PERROQUET SUITES
PRIVATE ENTERTAINING ROOMS AND SUITES
Numerous
floor
rooms and
single
have been designed
ments
of
social
affairs such
those
to
desiring to
suites
on this
meet the requirearrange private
as dinner parties, dances.
wedding
ings.
parties, organization
and club meet-
These rooms and suites provide the ap-
propriate accommodation for parties from a
very few to several hundred guests.
Page Twenty- four
FLEXIBILITY
A
extreme
be thrown into one large room when required.
particularly convenient for wedding parties.
flexibility.
are of various sizes
a
is
The rooms and suites
and are arranged in such
valuable feature of the accommodation
its
way
com-
that they can be used separately or
Avenue
bined. Thus, on the Park
side there
are nine separate rooms, decorated
nished in
and
fur-
harmony with one another, which can
Le Perroquet Suite
is
equipped with an organ,
Music may also be transmitted
rooms,
to
any of the
by amplifiers from the Grand
at will,
Ballroom and the
world-wide radio
central,
receiving apparatus.
SEPARATE CLOAK ROOMS, PANTRIES AND OTHER SERVICES
All the suites have their
dressing.
retiring,
own
private foyers,
and cloak rooms, salons,
elevators
sories
and pantry
services. Special acces-
are available as needed.
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER
All rooms and suites on this floor have distincfeatures.
tive
Throughout,
the
decorations
and furnishings have been done under the
direction of decorators of distinction.
JANSEN SUITE
On
Avenue corner of
this floor is the beautiful Jansen Suite. The
decorations and furnishings were designed by
the distinguished Maison Jansen. of Paris.
the 50th Street and Park
The salon
is indirectly lit by cove lighting from the ceiling. Another feature is a fine Empire mantel.
The walls of the dining room also are panlarge mirrors in etched glass frames.
This suite consists of a large salon, a private
eled, the color
dining room and foyer with ladies' and men's
bined
The salon
Empire period
foyer
dressing rooms and service pantry.
and private dining room are
style.
in
The wall decorations are
The walls of
with
is
in
theme being French greys com-
other
use of a Greek Doric cornice.
a series of very
painted.
the salon are paneled with
harmonizing
modernized Empire
els.
handsome
(Rooms 4S and 4T on
The
making
tones.
style
The walls have
inlaid carved panfloor plan.)
CRANE ROOMS
Adjoining the Jansen Suite on the 50th Street
side
of
the
building are two other private
its own foyer. These
rooms can be used separately or. when required, can be thrown into one. Decorations
and furnishings harmonize throughout.
dining rooms, each with
Distinguished
by
painted
panels
in
the
dining rooms depicting tropical scenes forming
a color scheme of violet and green, the
rooms
known as the Crane Rooms on account of
the use made of paintings of this bird in the decorative design. (Rooms 4U and 4V on plan.)
are
Page Twenty-five
LE PERROQ UET SUITES
Adjoining the Crane Rooms, on the 50th Street
side, are
Le Perroquet
Suites.
three suites comprises a dining
Each
suite has
contained
.
.
.
with
a
.
room and foyer.
separate entrance and
is self-
but the three suites, harmonizing
in decorations
into one.
its
Each of these
and furnishings, can be thrown
The center dining room
self-player
organ,
is
equipped
concealed behind
large ornamental grille-work panels.
The rooms are
in
modern
The
style.
entire
walls of the dining rooms are painted with
tropical foliage
and
brilliantly colored birds.
Painted panels in the foyers harmonize with
The foyers
domed ceil-
the decorations of the dining rooms.
are designed in a unique way. with
ings
from which
lighting: is obtained.
PRIVATE DINING ROOMS, PARK AVENUE SIDE
Running along the Park Avenue
floor
side of this
are nine private dining rooms. These,
again, can be used separately or can be com-
bined to form one large room. Alternatively,
two or more of the rooms can be combined
as
circumstances require. Decorations are in grey.
PILLEMENT SUITE
On
Park Avenue side of the
rooms and salons are also
be used separately or to form a
the 49th Street.
with painted panels. The panels, brought from
floor other dining
Europe, are of French Chinois character. The
designed to
colors
are.
greens
generally,
Walls
and
single suite as required.
yellows.
The salon at the extreme 49th Street. Park
Avenue corner is designed in Louis XV style
painted in harmony. The
panel
and chrome-
mouldings
name
is
are
that of an
18th Century French designer and decorator.
CARPENTER SUITE
Among
still
other dining rooms and suites on
the Fourth Floor
is
the Carpenter Suite, designed
WINE
An
unusual arrangement in connection with
wines and liquors
The Waldorf was
is
that the
built
"wine cellar" of
on the Fifth Floor. Per-
and furnished throughout
by the
style
late
in
American Colonial
Mrs. John Alden Carpenter.
"CELLAR"
feet
temperature control
is
maintained by an
air-conditioning installation by the Carrier En-
gineering Company. Visitors welcome.
Page Twenty-seven
SOUTHERN SOCIETY - PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY
Fifth Floor
Lounge and meeting rooms ... a social center
and rendezvous for Southern folk in New York.
Also on
this floor are the
headquarters and
club rooms of the Pennsylvania Society.
RADIO ROOM
Sixth Floor
The
largest all-wave radio receiving system in
the world
is
was added
in
The Waldorf.
to its elaborate
In 1935 there
system for receiv-
ing and distributing in the hotel
nication available
all
commu-
from North American
sta-
wave system for around-the- world
communication. This receives from the entire
commercial and entertainment broadcast
tions a short
world. The new equipment picks up from the
wave stations such as London,
Moscow. Tokio. Australia. South
America and Africa. The Waldorf is the first
giant
short
Paris. Berlin.
hotel in the country to
its
make
provisions in all
public and private rooms for such service,
Visitors are
the Radio
welcome for tours of inspection
Room — opposite Room
at
607.
DOCTOR'S OFFICES
Seventeenth Floor
On
House Physiand the Emergency
this floor are also located the
cian's
suite
of
offices,
Medical Service Rooms. The Dentist's
offices
are conveniently located in Suite 2016-18.
CATHOLIC CLUB
Seventeenth Floor
This club has been in existence for the past
seventy
years.
Members
of
the
clergy
and
guests of the hotel are
make use
of the club
more than welcome
rooms
to
at all times.
EIGHTEENTH FLOOR
STARLIGHT ROOF
•
TERRACES AND PALM BAR
STARLIGHT ROOF AND TERRACES
Facing Park Avenue, the Starlight Roof extends along the entire front of the hotel on
sides
is
of
the
building.
reached by elevators
Lobby
175 feet long and
adjacent to Peacock Alley and the Main
The Terraces, two
on the First Floor. Express elevators go directly
sixty feet in length, give vistas of
from the First Floor to the Starlight Roof Foyer.
the Eighteenth Floor.
approximately 35
hundred and
city from three
The Starlight Roof
the
It is
feet wide.
Page Twenty-nine
TERRACED ENDS, DAJSCE FLOOR
The north and south ends
of the Starlight
Roof
are terraced so that patrons sitting at the tables
may
overlook the lower central portion of the
room with
a clear view of the floor reserved
for dancing and entertainment features.
At intervals of
room
ing out upon the
sides of the
seven feet on three
five to
are French windows, open-
outside terraces.
MOVABLE ROOF
The
Starlight
Roof
is
equipped with a movable
roof, operated by electrical machinery, so that
the
room may be enclosed or made
open
to the
sky
at will.
directly
Beneath the roof
an
is
inner ceiling of perforated ornamental screens
designed to give pleasing patterns against the
The
sky.
lighting
is
semi-indirect
— from
around the perforated ornamental screens
the
in
main portion of the room and from bev-
elled glass ceilings above the terraced ends.
VICTOR WHITE MURALS
Mural decorations
in the Starlight
Roof are by
Victor White, the well-known American mural
painter.
inative
scenes.
Two media
mosaics, a
are employed: "silhouette"
new form
of mosaic decoration for
Mr. White's designs are strongly imag-
the central portion, and great panels of antique
and sophisticated studies of tropical
mirrored gold
at the terraced ends.
"SILHOUETTE" MOSAICS
The
"silhouette" mosaics,
ical
plants, flowers
and
representing trop-
birds, are
worked
in
are worked out in mosaic against a contrasting
background of other material. In this way,
gold and silver on a background of yellow
literal
sand-colored plaster. In the "silhouette" form,
by imaginative suggestion and lightness par-
as developed
by Mr. White, masses which char-
acterized older forms of mosaic
work are
dis-
carded and significant outlines and details only
representation and weight are replaced
ticularly appropriate for
effect
in
a
room
of
interior decorative
such gay. effervescent
character as the Starlight Roof.
MURALS ON MIRRORED GLASS
Mr.
\^ hite's
rise
above a marble base
is
mural paintings on mirrored glass
also based
upon
to 19 feet.
The design
tropical subjects
.
.
.
with
tive art to screens, panels and. in
to a
complete room
in a private
but hitherto no attempt has been
mural decorations of
one instance,
residence
made
.
.
.
to carry
kind on any-
the foliage in cool greens, while flamingoes in
out
reds contrast on a background of mirrored gold.
thing approaching the extensive scale required
These murals occupy a
proximately 1,700 square
total surface of apfeet.
Mr. White has
already applied this form of modern decora-
for the Starlight Roof.
this
The columns
at the ter-
raced ends of the Starlight Roof are done in
lacquer of a brilliant red shade.
Page Thirty
STARLIGHT ROOF FOYER
'The Starlight Roof Foyer, which leads from
the elevators to the Starlight Roof,
in design
and
is
modern
The walls are
classic in detail.
covered in mirrors. The small columns are in
The general color scheme is in
harmony with that of the Starlight Roof itself,
and this same scheme of decoration is also
red lacquer.
carried through to the Elevator Lobby.
CHECK ROOMS, PANTRIES
Adjoining the Starlight Roof are
men
s
ladies"
and
rooms and check rooms. For increased
efficiency the Starlight
from
its
own
Roof
is
served directly
kitchen and pantries.
THE PALM BAR
On
is
the 49th Street side of the Eighteenth Floor,
this
room
popular
is
Summer
bar. In
\^ inter,
this
frequently used in connection with
dinners, meetings and other functions held on
room was opened in
and was named from
decoration of the room —
of several canvas "chemes." such as carried in
the desert during fiesta seasons over the heads
of royalty. This
the
Summer
of 1934
characteristic
palms
with
trunks
of
copper
and
widely-
Chromium
The
ceiling, of this
room has
tops,
the appearance
tables,
and others
trees.
some with shiny black
in yellow, repeating the color
of the Venetian blinds, together with lounge
chairs
covered with colored linens and the
bamboo
spreading copper leaves, silvered below.
an extremely colorful back-
ground for the copper palm
the Starlight Roof. This
the early
is
bar. all
add tropical atmosphere tem-
pered with the coolness of a palm grove.
CANADIAN CLUB
Also on the Eighteenth Floor are the rooms of
the
Canadian Club. These rooms include a
foyer, dining rooms, lounge, library, billiard
room, and card room. They are designed in
the Georgian
and Tudor Period
styles.
The
premises of the Canadian Club also extend
the Nineteenth Floor where private bedrooms and baths are reserved for members,
and the Twentieth Floor Roof is given over
to
to recreation
and dining.
NINETEENTH FLOOR
JUNIOR LEAGUE
Room and offices, private
bedrooms especially designed and decorated
for members. Here also are the general offices
General Reception
of Junior League. Inc.
On
the Twentieth Floor,
a large outdoor Dining Terrace
Rooms and Lounge.
Page Thirty-one
.
.
.
Dining
HOME-COOKING KITCHEN
A
special kitchen,
where women cooks prepare
simple everyday dishes just as in the Amer-
ican home. These are served through
Service."
Ask
"Room
for special recipe booklet.
DIETITIANS
The
services of trained dietitians are available
for the supervision of special food require-
ments. Preparation of
menus for
invalids or
children
Kitchen
sired,
is
carried out by the
Home Cooking
strictly to specifications and,
when
de-
under supervision of a doctor.
TWENTIETH FLOOR
CHILDREN'S PLAYROOM
Decorated and furnished to please youngsters,
and equipped with a variety of entertaining
playthings. There is also an outdoor play ter-
race,
completely wire-screened, where children
may
play in the sunlight and open air with
complete safety.
Inquiries regarding rooms and suites will receive
immediate attention and should be addressed
F. A.
to
Manager, THE WALDORF-ASTORIA,
PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY
READY,
Telephone: ELdorado 5-3000
Telegrams and Cables: Waldorf,
New York
Out of Town Representatives
DAYTON
CHICAGO
Thirza Grant Reynolds
Miss A. M. Bauer • Campbell Kennedy
333 North Michigan Avenue
•
Miriam Rosenthal
Hotel Biltmore
PACIFIC COAST
Dorothy
Muriel Fisher
Cardin
I.
681 Market Street, San Francisco
510 West Sixth Street, Los Angeles
WASHINGTON,
John
B.
Shoreham
Debnam
•
LONDON, ENGLAND
D. C.
Julian B. Greene
Bldg., 15th
and
H
Sts.,
N.W.
John Gooddy
18/20 Regent Street
Page Thirty-two
JULY
'38
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
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