A Closer Look: The Original Waldorf-Astoria | Cultured Elegance

The original Waldorf Astoria Our story begins between two brothers, John Jacob Astor III and William Backhouse Astor. Their father gifted them both adjoining plots of land on 5th Avenue, reaching 33rd Street and 34th Street, to hopefully resolve their differences and raise their families. But as time went on, their distaste for one another only grew, especially as William's wife was becoming the most powerful and influential woman in Gilded Age society. Jealousy covered William's older brother and his wife, as they believed they should have been the new heads of the family after their mother and father had passed away. Their son, Willie Waldorf Astor, witnessed his family coming in second his entire life. When both of his parents passed away, he attempted to have his wife become the new Mrs. Astor, and outshine the reigning Caroline, his aunt. But Mrs. Astor was too powerful in the end, and Willie Waldorf decided that New York was just too small for these two branches of the family to coexist. So, he and his wife moved to England. Wanting to leave his mark and let New York society know that he was the most powerful Astor, he spitefully constructed the Waldorf Hotel in place of his childhood family home. As the construction was ongoing for years, Mrs. Astor was reminded daily of her nephew, as the building towered 13 stories over her and stood in total 225 feet tall. The Waldorf was completed in 1893 and designed in the German Renaissance style by architect Henry Janeway Hardenberg. The hotel contained 15 public rooms and 450 guest rooms, with an additional 100 rooms specifically designed for servants. John Jacob Astor IV convinced his mother, the Mrs. Astor, to move from her home and together they would create a new double mansion further up the avenue, while turning their original home into the Astoria Hotel. Standing at 270 feet tall, it had 16 stories, 550 guest rooms, 25 common rooms, and a grand ballroom. The exterior architecture was done in a German and Italian Renaissance style. The hotel was finished in 1897 when the Waldorf was already a great success, while the Astoria only claimed to be bigger, better, and more luxurious. After some time, however, the two hotels combined under one management and became the Waldorf hyphen Astoria. The hotel became solidified as one of the finest hotels in New York society among the upper crust. Once the hotel merged, it became the world's largest hotel with 1,300 bedrooms and 178 bathrooms. You would enter the hotel and be greeted by an elaborate glass and wrought iron marquee. The entrance hall contained an abundance of sienna marble, a coffered ceiling, and featured a mosaic tile floor. In this area, you would find the original reception desk. Leading beyond the lobby was the main hall, leading to a variety of public rooms. In this space, there was also an alcove with elevators and a grand staircase. Near this area was the reception room for women, known as the Marie Antoinette Parlor. The room contained 18th century antiques from Europe and real objects from the royal French courts. The gentlemen's cafe was furnished with dark and robust oak paneling in black. There were hunting murals and chandeliers from stag horns, but once merging with the Astoria, it became the library. The empire room was the most notable and lavishly adorned room in the hotel. It was also one of the best restaurants in New York City, rivaling Sherry's and Delmonico's. Inspired by King Ludwig's palace in Munich, the empire room featured a likeness to his Grand Salon. The Waldorf ballroom hosted many lavish affairs, but after combining with the Astoria, it was turned into the reading room. The palm court at the Waldorf was simply one of the most beautiful and luxurious spaces to unwind, grab a bite to eat, and relax. I know this is where I would be spending a majority of my time while visiting the hotel. There was also a florist on staff whenever was necessary for you, and in addition a booking office. Gentlemen also had the option of visiting the Turkish smoking room. There were a variety of amenities and public rooms that were not pictured in the hotel, one of them being the beautiful interior garden court featuring fountains and flowers. The Waldorf State Apartments consisted of nine suites and were all located on the second floor. Styles of these state rooms included Louis XV, Francois I, Henry VIII, Empire Style, Greek, Italian Renaissance, Pompeian, Colonial, East Indian, and Louis XVI. Each of the nine state apartments had their own music room and a banquet hall to seat 20 individuals. Many of the fine objects from these rooms were originals to the period or were very fine replicas. And here is a look at the regular single or double accommodations that were not suites. The main entrance corridor to the Astoria had the nickname of Peacock Alley. It was a long foyer that ran the entire length of the hotel from east to west. These areas had columns of sienna marble in the colors of salmon pink, cream, and pale green. Pictured here is the reception area in the main foyer. The restaurant at the Astoria was a fine and beautiful space featuring themes of the Italian Renaissance. The cafe was finished in English oak and was in the style of German Renaissance featuring Flemish decorations. The bar formed another room that was 40 by 50 feet in length. The Garden Court of Palms was yet another area where you could dine. It was 88 by 57 feet rising three stories into a dome-like structure made of amber glass reminiscent of the Titanic. The ballroom was done in the Louis XIV style and was by far the finest room in the entire hotel. It rose three stories in height measuring 65 by 95 feet. The room had a capacity to seat 700 individuals at banquets and 1,200 at concerts. While ascending to the floors above beautiful spaces would greet you. Entrances and stairwells to different areas across the hotel. The Astor Gallery was located on the first floor and looked out onto 34th street. This gallery contained seven French windows measuring 26 feet from floor to ceiling. The space was 87 by 102 feet in total. This space opened onto the terrace overlooking the entrance to the hotel. The hotel also featured an additional room for small parties and gatherings similar to the one prior. The top floor of the hotel contained a rooftop garden enclosed with glass on all sides and a glass roof over top. There were rattan chairs and lounges of pale green and pink. The roof garden also contained a restaurant which occupied a large portion of the space. There was also an enormous walking promenade measuring 200 feet. The second floor contained private apartments where each suite contained five bathrooms, three bedrooms, three maids rooms, a drawing room, dining room, and a hallway. The rooms above were personal suites most containing their own bathrooms. These rooms were also outfitted in various period styles that were extremely well done. The Waldorf Astoria came to be known as a hotel that was just like a palace. Not only did the Waldorf Astoria give us culture from its architecture and interiors but from its amazing food. Oskar Trescki was the famous cook who invented a variety of delicious dishes that we still use and love to this day such as red velvet cake, eggs benedict, thousand island dressing, and Waldorf salad to name a few. The hotel was torn down in 1929 to accommodate the Empire State Building which remains to this day. I hope you enjoyed your stay at the original Waldorf Astoria.