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Destinations F irst, drop those monogrammed bags off at the newly reimagined Waldorf Astoria New York. The hotel, formerly declared "the Greatest of Them All" by Conrad Hilton, made the most of its original Art Deco bones. Still, even the most glamorous grande dame needs an occasional refresh. In the Waldorf's case, this meant an eight-year facelift meticulously devised by developer Dajia Insurance Group and architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), whose hallmark is a mix of preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse. SOM was tasked with preserving the 1931 Art Deco edifice while making the most of the hotel for the modern era. In tandem with the city's Landmarks The New Waldorf Astoria: 8 Years in the Remaking Is any city more magical than New York. This year promises to be even more enchanting than usual, with destinations blending up-to-the-minute elegance with design-driven history: the Waldorf Astoria New York, Printemps New York, and the renovated Frick Collection. Put these on your must-see list. By Kendall Morgan New York's Preservation Commission, the limestone-and-brick facades were refreshed, and the twin cupolas revived, but spaces that no longer made sense for modern life were reinvented, with 1,400 hotel keys reduced to a mere 375 to give each room a chic-apartment feel. French designer Pierre- Yves Rochon (no slouch when it comes to reviving landmarks himself) assured that the new interiors were seamlessly transformed. While preserving decorative icons such as the Grand Ballroom, the frescoed Silver Corridor, and the five-star Peacock Alley (including its signature Waldorf Astoria Clock and Cole Porter Piano), R o c h o n a d d e d s u c h contemporary details as integrated lighting systems, automated curtains, and custom-designed furniture. With two additional dining destinations on site — Lex Yard, helmed by chef partner Michael Anthony, and the intimate kaiseki- inspired Japan-meets-NYC Yoshoku — there's really no reason to leave the hotel's environs at all. Seeking a pied-à-terre or penthouse in the city? The hotel is topped by 372 new Waldorf Astoria Residences, with interiors designed by another famed French designer, Jean- Louis Deniot. "Our goal with this restoration was to preserve the soul of this landmark while bringing it into the new age of luxury," says managing director Luigi Romaniello. "The hotel's design pays homage to its storied past, with every detail inspired by its original Art Deco heritage, from the mosaics in the Park Avenue Lobby to the marble pillars in Peacock Alley. The residences, on the other hand, are a new chapter. They offer an unparalleled High- Design Newest 78