Friday 20 February 2015

Will the Waldorf become NYC's hot new address

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All those pining after children's book character Eloise's lifestyle at "the tippy-top floor" of New York's Plaza Hotel might be able to recreate a piece of it a few blocks away at the Waldorf Astoria.
The new Chinese owner of Waldorf Astoria plans to convert the top floors of the iconic hotel into luxury condominiums, according to a report in real estate news magazine The Real Deal.
The report cites recent comments made by Anbang Insurance Group chairman Wu Xiaohui at Harvard University. Wu suggested a pretty high ring-fence around the address, saying "a potential buyer needs to have more than money to qualify for our apartments," according to the report.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings sold the Waldorf Astoria to
Anbang in October for nearly $2 billion. U.S. regulators approved the sale in early February, according to the Real Deal.
At the time of the sale, CNBC reported the hotel will "undergo a major renovation."
To be sure, it's not unusual to add fully serviced condos to a hotel development and Hilton is likely to keep its 100-year management deal for the hotel.

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