T
he Waldorf Astoria hotel's latest delay in reopening, now pushed back to spring 2025, is another blow to New York City from a Chinese company more interested in selling luxury condos than preserving the city's iconic landmarks. The Dajia Insurance Group, which took control of the property three years ago after another Chinese company collapsed, seems to view the hotel's grand public spaces as mere afterthoughts.

    The Waldorf's eight-year restoration and redesign continue unabated, with Hilton managing director Luigi Romaniello hinting that a spring 2025 reopening is merely an "expected" timeline. The hotel's original 1,400 rooms will be replaced by just 375, but each new room will be twice as large, accompanied by 375 condo residences priced from $1.8 million to $20 million.

    The project has been plagued by delays, including the collapse of Anbang and the exit of the Waldorf's US project manager in early 2023. The hotel's current state is a nuisance to nearby businesses, with one employee describing it as "the great black hole of Lexington Avenue." In contrast, other landmark restorations have completed their projects in significantly less time.

    Hilton's efforts to promote the new Waldorf Astoria have included launching a publicity campaign and naming a culinary consultant for a planned American brasserie. However, even Hilton seems embarrassed by the ongoing delays, with the hotel still shrouded in darkness and its iconic spaces untouched. The only sign of life is a gleaming sales office on Park Avenue, where Cole Porter's piano sits on display.