Submitted by David Sikon, Mar 6, 2008 04:46

Though I'm thrilled to read the many glowing reviews of the Plaza's restoration (which I've yet to see as I'm in Chicago) I'm troubled by the new off-limits stature of the beautiful and original 59th St. lobby. It's gorgeous to behold with its splendid elevator bank and mosaic floors but is also a crucial passage as one circulates through the hotel. Its loss makes for a more truncated amble and more importantly, represents yet another great public New York space going private in the manner of the Cunard and Woolworth lobbies downtown. I hope some compromise can be worked out to make this signature space that has been featured in countless films, perhaps most notably North by Northwest, part of the Plaza experience at least on some limited basis.

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