The Plaza Hotel, one of New York City’s most iconic establishments and the setting for some of the most memorable scenes in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, will temporarily close its doors in January 2027 for restoration of its historic facade. The work is expected to last at least four years, meaning the hotel could remain closed until 2031, although an official reopening date has not yet been announced.
The decision was announced by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the company that operates the property. The company explained that the complexity of the work and its impact on hotel operations make it necessary to suspend services while the project is underway. The restoration aims to preserve the exterior of a building with more than a century of history, located in one of Manhattan’s most recognizable areas.
The announcement has drawn attention from travelers and movie fans alike, as the Plaza is closely associated with Kevin McCallister’s Christmas adventure, the character played by Macaulay Culkin. The 2026 Christmas season will be one of the last opportunities for visitors to enjoy the hotel’s spaces and services before restoration work begins.
Why is the Plaza Hotel, the iconic Home Alone 2 location, closing?
Opened in 1907, the Plaza Hotel stands beside Central Park, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. Its historic facade is part of New York City’s architectural heritage, meaning the restoration must comply with preservation requirements applicable to buildings of this kind.
According to information released by the hotel operator, the project includes repairs and restoration work on the exterior. The undertaking requires detailed planning and coordination with the authorities and other parties involved in protecting the property. Although the announcement did not specify the total budget or all the technical details of the project, the company indicated that the scale of the work would significantly affect hotel operations.
The closure is scheduled for January 2027 and is expected to last at least four years. During this period, the property will suspend its accommodation services and other activities, including its restaurants and event spaces. Management has not yet confirmed a definitive date for welcoming guests back.
The decision also raises questions about the future of residents living in the condominiums within the complex. The building contains 282 hotel rooms, including 102 suites, as well as 181 residential units. So far, it has not been clarified whether apartment owners will have to leave their homes while the work is underway.
What will happen to employees and guests?
The suspension of operations will also affect the Plaza’s workforce. According to reports from U.S. media outlets, the hotel’s 378 unionized employees will retain the right to return to their positions when the property reopens, at the same pay they received before the closure. In the meantime, the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council union will seek employment alternatives to support its members during the shutdown.
Guests who planned to stay at the hotel while the work is underway will need to consider other accommodation options in the city. The closure also affects plans for private events, weddings and celebrations scheduled for 2027 and subsequent years. Management has indicated that the scope and implementation of the project are still being planned, meaning some details remain unresolved.
This will not be the first extended interruption in the establishment’s history. The Plaza also ceased operations in 2005 for a transformation that lasted until 2008. The new restoration represents another stage in preserving a property that combines its role as a hotel with its architectural significance and international reputation.
The hotel that made Home Alone 2 a Christmas classic
Beyond its history and architecture, the Plaza holds a prominent place in popular culture because of its appearance in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, released in 1992. In the film, Kevin McCallister becomes separated from his family during a trip and ends up in New York, where he checks into the luxurious hotel using his father’s credit card.
One of the best-known scenes shows the boy entering the property and asking a guest for directions to the lobby. The man was Donald Trump, who owned the hotel at the time. His brief appearance became one of the film’s most memorable cameos.
The movie also shows Kevin enjoying the Plaza’s services, particularly room service, ordering food and making the most of his stay alone. These scenes helped portray the hotel as a setting for luxury and adventure, strengthening its association with one of the most popular Christmas films of the 1990s.
Since then, the Plaza has maintained a special connection with fans of the movie, many of whom visit the property to recognize the locations featured in Kevin’s story. Its appearance on screen adds to a long history that has also made the hotel a gathering place for writers, artists, public figures and travelers from around the world.
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