WaldorfAstoria

Philadelphia's Waldorf Astoria Project Put On Hold

Add another ambitious condo/hotel project to the dust heap. The 58-story Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Philadelphia has been postponed indefinitely. The $420 million project was to be a lavish project with a Waldorf-Astoria hotel, restaurant, spa, upscale retail and 136 condo units starting at $1 million. Philly.com reports that this is one of nine major hotel projects in the Center City area that have either been delayed or indefinitely put on hold. The project was doomed by the usual suspects, an uncertain real estate market and a banking climate that makes it virtually impossible for developers to get loans.

One of the developers, Timothy J. Mahoney III, president and chief executive officer of Mariner Commercial Properties Inc. has sold his stake in the project to his partner, Brook Lenfest of Brooks Capital Group.The developer is still under a management contract with Hilton Hotels which owns the Waldorf brand. Hilton is still committed to the project but it may be a while before this one comes to pass.

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Tags: condos, hotel, philadephia, waldorfastoria

Debutantes Party While Rome Burns

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity, Wealth

Recession or no, there was no shortage of swells willing to shell out $14,000 for a table at the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York the other night. 47 debutantes in white gowns were presented at the ball, " a holdover from an era when the daughters of the upper crust were presented to society as a preface to meeting suitable mates," the International Herald Tribune notes. They included European aristocrats and scions of American families from the Social Register. Some guests tried to rationalize the expenditure. "It is extravagant, but I felt it was important for my daughter, and things might get worse," one noted. Another explained, "There are a lot of waiters working tonight, so it's doing something for the economy."

Each debutante's family pays $14,000 for a table as well as thousands of dollars for couture gowns, hairdressers and related expenses for the Ball, which was founded in 1954, the paper reports. Each deb is paired with a civilian escort in white tails and a military cadet in a dress uniform. Proceeds benefit the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club, a charitable organization that provides accommodations to military families visiting New York. Maria Irini Rizos, of Corfu, Greece, a self-described descendant of Venetian nobility, told the IHT she participated in the ball because "I want to meet international friends and have contacts with people from different countries."

Tags: Debutantes, New York, NewYork, Social Register, SocialRegister, WaldorfAstoria

Waldorf=Astoria Plans Philadelphia Project

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Waldorf=Astoria Hotel has announced their latest project, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences in Philadelphia. The $420-million development will be 58 stories and will include a 175-room hotel and 136 private residences starting at $1 million each. The property will also be home to a spa, conference room, a boutique shop and a restaurant. The granite and glass tower is to be designed by Cope Linder Architects of Philadelphia and the most desirable units will be the eight custom Bi-Level penthouses with internal private elevators, grand staircases and some of the highest walkout terraces in the city.

Some are wondering if there are enough buyers for all the condo projects being built in Philadelphia. While Philadelphia does have less construction than other large cities it also has a large inventory of condos for sale and plenty of projects currently underway which will push more units into a crowded marketplace. Perhaps by the time these condos are ready in 2012, the condo market will be a bit warmer.

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Tags: condominiums, condos, philadelphia, waldorf astoria, WaldorfAstoria

Guerlain Spa Opens at the Waldorf=Astoria

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

A few weeks ago Guerlain opened a spa in the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. The spa "ensures a comprehensive luxury experience for every Waldorf guest." On the menu are eight kinds of massage, four kinds of facials, six kinds of body treatments, and five men's treatments, as well as hand and foot therapies, makeup application and all-day and partial-day getaway spa experiences. The spa also has a boutique and personal training studio.

I'm no beauty maven, but I've had massages and lots of facials, and what's described on the site seems no more special than what's offered at any other upscale spa, except for the use of Guerlain products and exquisite descriptions of services. I've no doubt the products add a level of luxury that's likely missing from a run-of-the-mill salon-type spa on the corner. But does Guerlain do a better job for what I assume to be a big pricetag? I don't know. I might have to check it out!

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Tags: facials, Guerlain, Guerlain spa, GuerlainSpa, hotel, hotels, massage, New York, New York City, NewYork, NewYorkCity, NYC, reflexology, spa, Waldorf, Waldorf Astoria, Waldorf-Astoria, WaldorfAstoria

Eat Like A President For $500

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Have you ever wondered what kind of food Presidents eat? Well you now have the chance to find out. The Waldorf Astoria has hosted every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover and they're now offering a four-course presidential menu complete with wine in order to share some of their best presidential creations. The meal includes:

1st Course: Seared Scallop with Osetra Caviar and Potato-Chive Mousseline (Served to President Clinton at the Heads of State Dinner in 2000)

2nd Course: Poached Turbot with Caviar-Champagne Sauce (Served to President Reagan at the Heads of State Dinner in 1985)

3rd Course: Roast Rack of Lamb with Saffron Potatoes, Candied Eggplant and Pickled Onion (Served to President George H.W. Bush in 1992 while entertaining Prime Minister John Major)

4th Course: Chocolate Extravaganza (a favorite of President George W. Bush)

The tasting menu will run you $500, which includes private butler service in a room decorated with U.S. flags and some complimentary presidential amenities/souvenirs. Yum!

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Tags: dining, president, waldorf, waldorf astoria, WaldorfAstoria

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1	Deidre Woollard	182	0
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6	Noah Joseph	32	0
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