New York’s Art Deco revival finds its true muse in this iconic hotel

New York is having a full-blown Art Deco renaissance—from shimmering geometric facades on new luxury towers to the resurgence of 1920s glamour in film, fashion, and even the city’s nightlife. The aesthetic has slipped back into the cultural bloodstream, influencing everything from cocktail bars to couture. This renewed appetite for craftsmanship isn’t limited to architecture.

Uptown, the Met is leaning into the moment too, opening its new Condé M. Nast Galleries with Costume Art, a sweeping look at the body told through centuries of clothing and art. The exhibition is already shaping early conversations around the 2026 Met Gala, and its celebration of form and ornamentation feels like part of the same cultural pulse that makes the Waldorf’s return so timely. 

Reopened in 2025 after a multi-year restoration, the Waldorf Astoria arrives as a masterclass in Art Deco: a living archive of polished brass, heroic scale, intricate mosaics, and cinematic drama, returned to the city just when its design language feels more relevant than ever.

Food was never just an afterthought here—it was part of the mythology. In its rebirth, the hotel leaned in: Lex Yard, a two-story American brasserie from chef Michael Anthony, honours regional farms with seasonal fare. The menu features à la carte classics and a four-course market prix-fixe, including landmark dishes like slow-poached halibut with borscht sauce and a luxe caviar “sando.” 

The pastries deserve a mention, too. Jennie Chiu’s red velvet soufflé tart with cream cheese raspberry swirl ice cream is a modern nod to a dessert once synonymous with the hotel.

Then there’s Yoshoku, an intimate, kaiseki-inspired restaurant by chef Ry Nitzkowski. Surrounding the breathtaking “Wheel of Life” mosaic, the menu unfolds in six courses; think grilled lobster brushed with clarified butter, toro tartare with caviar, and king crab with tosazu jelly. The pairing menu slides between sake, Japanese whisky, champagne, and signature cocktails like the Yuzu Manhattan.

And of course, Peacock Alley, once a mere promenade, now returns as a full dining lounge once again alive with Art Deco glamour. Led by mixologist Jeff Bell, its cocktail list includes an absinthe-laced Waldorf Cocktail and a sharp 50th Street Martini, while dishes resurrect classics like the Waldorf Salad, lobster rolls with caviar and truffles, and even pigs in a blanket.

The restoration didn’t erase the past; rather, it amplified it. Iconic spaces like Peacock Alley, the famed grand corridor, and the “Wheel of Life” mosaic were lovingly restored, preserving the hotel’s Art Deco soul. New lighting, better acoustics, and thoughtful spatial flow bring every gilded corner into sharper focus. Pierre-Yves Rochon and the architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill reimagined these spaces so that history feels both present and effortlessly modern.

The relaunch was nothing short of momentous. Besides the restaurants, a 30,000 sq ft Guerlain Spa opened, complete with indoor–outdoor terraces, private treatment suites, and a full-service beauty salon. A dramatic indoor Starlight Pool occupies the former Starlight Roof nightclub space—an elegant echo of its former glittering nights. Residences in the building, known as the Towers, now offer amenities like a Winter Garden, a private cinema, and a dedicated porte-cochère for discreet arrivals.

This is not just another hotel reopening. It’s a resurgence of art deco in its purest form, told through food, design, and destination. The fashion-forward, culturally aware traveller who walks in here doesn’t just stay; they partake in a living legacy. It’s a reminder that luxury doesn’t always have to shout; sometimes, it teaches.

All images: The brand

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