Top 34+ Rare Vintage Photos of The Plaza Hotel

1) Early Beginnings

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

The Plaza Hotel was built in 1907 just steps away from Central Park and in 2008, the hotel underwent a $450 million renovation.

2) Elsa Schiaparelli

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

It took two years and $15 million to build The Plaza Hotel. Famous fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli was photographed standing in the doorway of the building in the 1940s.

3) Front Desk

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Next up is a photo of where guests check in during the early 1940s.

5) Behind the Scenes

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

It’s not all glitz and glamour. See the telephone operators in the 1940s hard at work.

6) Guest Service

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

This is an office where staff members sorted guest mesages.

7) The Dream Ball

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

In the early 1950s, the Arts Student League’s Dream Ball was held in the hotel’s ballroom.

9) Ballroom Dancing

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

A lively group dressed in gorgeous strapless gowns and sleek tuxedos were dancing in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

10) Eloise

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Just as famous as The Plaza is Eloise, a fictional character created by author Kay Thompson who lives in the hotel full-time. A young Evelyn Rudie filmed the CBS television presentation of Eloise.

11) Wild West Ball

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis chatted with Baroness De La Bovillerie at the Wild West Ball in the late '50s. Kennedy Onassis attended the glamorous event, which benefited a pet charity, with her husband, President John F. Kennedy.

12) Brigitte in the Big City

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

French actress Brigitte Bardot once held a press conference. She made a statement in a colorful striped dress paired with a voluminous hairstyle.

14) Shakespeare Ball

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Baroness Gottfried von Meyern-Hohenberg socialized the night away at a fundraiser to benefit the New York Shakespeare Festival. She wore an elaborate Chester Weinberg dress.

15) Black and White Ball

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Breakfast at Tiffany’s author Truman Capote hosted his famous Black and White Ball. Dubbed “The Party of the Century,” notable attendees included Frank Sinatra, Norman Mailer, and Andy Warhol, just to name a few. Capote required each of his guests to wear a mask, which they were allowed to remove at the stroke of midnight.

16) Truman Capote

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Capote was arm in arm with one of the ball’s attendees, Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham.

17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Actor Henry Ford, famous for films like 12 Angry Men and The Grapes of Wrath, and his wife Shirlee Mae Adams were also in attendance that night.

18) Michael Caine

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Michael Caine posed for a magazine shoot in the 1960s.

19) The Beatles

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

The Beatles famously held a press conference in the Baroque Room to receive their gold records for “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” and their studio album Meet the Beatles. The group, who also stayed at the storied hotel during their trip, was in town for five days to perform at Carnegie Hall and appear on the Ed Sullivan Show.

20) An After Party

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Barbara Harris and Warren Beatty chatted during the 1967 Tony Awards afterparty.

21) Barbra Streisand

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

How glamorous is Barbra Streisand? The singer posed for a photo while attending an afterparty for the 1977 Tony Awards.

22) Doctor Faustus

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

The press conference for Doctor Faustus, a film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, was held at the hotel in 1968.

23) Josh Davidson Opening

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Actress Lee Remick was with actor and singer John Davidson during one of his events thrown at the property.

24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Another day, another gala. Feather Ball Benefit Gala guests were toasting during the evening’s festivities.

25) Cactus Flower

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

In 1969, The Plaza hosted the premiere party for Cactus Flower, a romance comedy about a dentist who fools people into believing he’s married. The movie’s leading lady, Goldie Hawn, was in attendance for the memorable event.

26) John Travolta

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

John Travolta was a guest when he was in the Big Apple promoting his famous 1970s flick Saturday Night Fever.

27) Spanish Institute Gala

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

In 1981, the Spanish Institute Gala threw a gala and the guests were dressed to the nines.

28) A Luncheon

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

The wallpaper, the chandeliers, the gilded gold doors, what’s not to love? Actors Maureen Stapleton, Christopher Plummer, and Audra Lindley were having a blast during NBC’s Affiliates Luncheon in 1982.

29) Madonna and Warren Beatty

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Madonna was with actor Warren Beatty. The two dated for a little over a year after meeting on the set of Dick Tracy.

30) Supermodels

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

The Night of 100 Stars Gala in October 1989 had a stacked guest list including three of the world’s most well-known supermodels Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington.

31) Strike a Pose

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Actress Brooke Shields posed for photos while walking through the hotel’s hallways. The screen star was there for the Museum of Broadcasting Awards Gala honoring George Burns.

32) Aretha Franklin

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Even iconic singer Aretha Franklin visited The Plaza. The songstress arrived at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Awards event in an animal print overcoat and a bouffant hairstyle that made her look like Hollywood royalty.

33) Brooke Shields

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

In the early ’90s, Brooke Shields posed in a strapless black and white printed minidress while attending a party. The movie star was there for the annual March of Dimes Dinner Gala.

34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

1) Early Beginnings, 2) Elsa Schiaparelli, 3) Front Desk, 5) Behind the Scenes, 6) Guest Service, 7) The Dream Ball, 9) Ballroom Dancing, 10) Eloise, 11) Wild West Ball, 12) Brigitte in the Big City, 14) Shakespeare Ball, 15) Black and White Ball, 16) Truman Capote, 17) Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fonda, 18) Michael Caine, 19) The Beatles, 20) An After Party, 21) Barbra Streisand, 22) Doctor Faustus, 23) Josh Davidson Opening, 24) Feather Ball Benefit Gala, 25) Cactus Flower, 26) John Travolta, 27) Spanish Institute Gala, 28) A Luncheon, 29) Madonna and Warren Beatty, 30) Supermodels, 31) Strike a Pose, 32) Aretha Franklin, 33) Brooke Shields, 34) My Best Friend’s Wedding

Cameron Diaz attended the premiere party for My Best Friend’s Wedding in the late ’90s. How incredible is that floral arrangement in the background?

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