Waldorf Astoria New York
Project Description
Property History
The Waldorf Astoria New York is a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The present building at 301 Park Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets, is a 47-story, 190.5-meter (625 foot) Art Deco landmark. Designed by architects Schultze and Weaver, the hotel was completed in 1931. An icon of glamour and luxury, the current Waldorf Astoria is one of the world’s most prestigious and best-known hotels.
Project Scope
Grand Light was commissioned to perform a comprehensive restoration on a diverse collection of historic light fixture in part of the Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel’s several year spanning major restoration.
This ambitious project involved over 300 luminaires, including towering crystal chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, and ceiling fixtures. This included finish conservation, complex rewiring, custom-fabricated glass and mechanical parts, and the meticulous dressing of tens of thousands of individual crystals, each step carried out with a deep respect for the fixture’s historic integrity. Additionally, there was a substantial amount of custom work, with Grand Light having fabricated several historically accurate replicas to replace designs that had gone missing over the years.
First, Grand Light went on-site and completed a preliminary survey and analysis of the fixtures to outline an approximate scope of work. Once approved, the fixtures were removed and transported to our Connecticut factory in batches over the course of the five years that the project spanned. Once in-house, the work on the fixtures began by completing a more in-depth analysis and submittal report, disassembling each one and beginning the restoration accordingly.
Fixtures saw cleaner finishes (or complete refinishes in most cases), new custom parts to accommodate mechanical flaws or redesigns, as well as glass and crystal cleaning. For the larger chandeliers, complex crystal maps had to be created beforehand by having our engineering department work closely with the artisans to ensure that they knew how to redress the fixtures with the correct type of crystal accordingly.
Once enough fixtures were completed, Grand Light delivered them back to New York in batches and began the reinstallation process. This culminated in a marathon of days in late 2024 after delivering dozens of completed crystal chandeliers, installing them, and having several of our artisans spend several days dressing the thousands of crystals on-site.
Finally, with the help of the Waldorf’s team, the final fixtures were raised back into place using specialized lifts and hoists, ensuring a precise and faithful return to the hotel interior. The Waldorf Astoria reopened in 2025 after nearly a decade of talented craftsman across all mediums executing the restoration with extraordinary skill, patience, and expertise.
Read more about Grand Light’s role in the Waldorf Astoria New York’s Renovation on our blog here.
Services Performed
On-Site Disassembly, Assembly, & Testing
Our restoration artisans are trained to safely remove and disassemble fixtures and components, labeling and photographing fixture components in sequence of its removal and as a section. Work areas are left in the same condition it was found prior to leaving the site.
For documentation our technicians inspect and note any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring, to ensure the fixtures can be wired in accordance with UL listed products, UL standard 1598 and hi-pot tested, with UL label (LED retrofit kits utilize manufacturers listing).
On-Site Packing, Crating, & Transportation
Grand Light frequently transports lighting fixtures using our own box trucks, flatbeds, and custom-built trailers that are designed specifically for safe transport. Our team packs all components with custom-built crates catered to each fixture in our factory. Each crate is packed and properly labeled with all necessary information per fixture type, including loose components, damages/deficiencies, and proper component placement/alignment.
Lighting Design & Engineering
Our process begins with reviewing existing documentation including sketches, architectural drawings, historical photographs, and an on-site inspection to gather the full scope of the project requirements. From there, Grand Light will develop a detailed proposal. As required Grand Light conducts research to assure the historical accuracy of all historic projects.
The creation of Custom Drawings, Modeling, Simulation, and Rendering is an important part of the process when it comes to the production of custom lighting. Whether it be a replication or modification of an existing lighting fixture, the client’s design, or a creation by Grand Light’s engineering team, our designs will serve as the blue print for our production process.
Our designs and subsequent mock-ups address the smallest of detail, allowing our clients to fully visualize the fixture before it goes into production, which reduces the possibility of error, and allows Grand Light to fulfill its commitment of delivering high quality lighting fixtures on schedule.
Material Fabrication
Grand Light has created custom lighting fixtures of every style and for every application. Our team of professional metal workers excel in Forming, Forging, Spinning, Stamping, and Hydroforming various materials such as Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, and Copper.
Grand Light’s production process in machining and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures and components in both large and small quantities; from minor components to the complete fabrication of full sized lanterns or other custom lighting fixtures, our artisans can accommodate any client specification or deadline.
With our automated lathes, stamping, and welding equipment aid in our ability to craft metal components to project specification with unparalleled design, quality, and durability. Our custom lighting team stands confidently behind their work with years of experience and dedication to quality craftsmanship.
Glass & Crystal Cleaning & Replication
Grand Light’s Crystal, Glass, & Acrylic Studio specializes in the cleaning, repair, fitting, custom fabrication, replacement and replication of crystal, glass, and acrylic components of varying types, sizes, and color.
Our extensive cleaning solutions include hand cleaning, abrasive, micro-abrasive, and ultrasonic cleaning technology. Our artisans utilize a proprietary cleaning solution before each component is rinsed and hand polished. We have extensive experience pinning and stringing crystal components on historic and custom lighting fixtures. Utilizing time proven techniques, our artisans install pinning wire, clips, and connecting rings on crystal components in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and designs.
Our specialists will identify and research any missing crystal or glass component on a historic lighting fixture and offer up a similar or exact grade, size, tint, color, and shape to maintain a fixtures historical integrity.
Grand Light offers a wide variety of custom, high quality architectural glass and acrylic diffusers, available in an array of styles, types, and sizes. Our high quality architectural diffusers are available by custom order and offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces or replications of an existing design.
Cleaning Systems
Grand Light specializes in commercial luminaire cleaning services, including the utilization of state-of-the-art Ultrasonic, Micro-Abrasive, and Hydrosonic Molecular Impact System (HSMI) Cleaning Technologies. Using our engineered cleaning systems, our artisans are able to eliminate decades of accumulated debris from any lighting fixture or surface.
Grand Light’s Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks provide high-frequency sound waves transmitted through liquid to scrub clean the surface of immersed parts. The high-frequency sound waves, typically 40 kHz, agitate the liquid solution of water or solvent, and cause the cavitation of solution molecules.
Our Micro-Abrasive process utilizes fine abrasive media to generate an accurate, precise, and controllable abrasive jet to target and remove material (on the micron level). Our system is so precise it can remove ink from a business card without damaging the card’s surface.
HSMI is Grand Light’s unique, proprietary system includes powerful continuous super high steam production up to 369 degrees Fahrenheit with an integrated wet vacuum system insuring residual moisture and debris extraction. Purified dry vapor steam and integrated vacuum system guarantees spot free crystals and fixture frames.
Finish Application & Top Coatings
As a part of the restoration process, our artisans explore the intricate details of preserving the historical integrity of lighting fixtures including color matching and sheen of the original finish. Custom lighting finishes are available in custom painted colors, sheen, and textures as well as custom patina colors on bronze, copper, and brass components.
Our artisans can match any color or finish utilizing a variety of processes involving Powder Coat, Spray, Hot or Cold Patina Custom Recipes and Color Blending an existing finish.
Grand Light exercises meticulous techniques that are unparalleled in the application of Protective Top Coatings including binders, rust, and UV resistant protective metal oils, waxes, and lacquers with various customized sheens and tints.
NRTL Testing & Listing
Utilizing only UL listed products, Grand Light’s OSHA NRTL Certified Manufacturer’s Testing and Listing Laboratory strives to ensure only the highest quality of standards go into finalizing each lighting fixture; from the rewiring of luminaires, to the installation of modern lamp technology, and the custom conversion of gas powered fixtures to electric.
Grand Light’s technicians inspect and document any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring. We also offer comprehensive retrofit kits for upgrading existing historic luminaire to take full advantage of modern induction lamping technology. Grand Light’s practice is to perform multiple UL tests on all electrical components and systems to ensure compliance with UL Standards for luminaires.
Click here to read about the custom work we did on this project.
Media
The renovated Waldorf Astoria New York hotel reopens to the public
Project Updates
A Grandiose Return – Grand Scale Restoration at New York’s Iconic Landmark of Luxury
After nearly a decade of work by countless specialists, the century-old Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel has been fully revitalized with its interiors, and its historic lighting, restored to their original splendor.
Relighting Elegance – The Waldorf Astoria New York’s Grand Restoration
Over the last few years, our artisans have completed the full restoration of a series of 300+ fixtures, including hundreds of stunning crystal chandeliers, sconces, and pendants with over a half million individual crystal components.
Project Case Study
To review the Restoration Project Case Study, click the image below:
To review the Custom Project Case Study, click the image below:
Project Accolades
Waldorf Astoria New York received the 2026 Lucy G. Moses Award for Preservation at The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s 36th Annual Moses Awards
Waldorf Astoria New York received the 2025 Best of Year Award – Hotel Transformation at Interior Design’s 2025 Best of Year Awards
Original Lighting Manufacturer
Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Photo Credits: Smithsonian Libraries
