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The Waldorf-Astoria, one of Manhattan's premier hotels, has been presented with the Chairman's Award of the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
It was the first time in the conservancy's history that the prestigious award was given to a New York City building that is not officially a city landmark. "That's the remarkable thing," said James Galbraith, senior vice president of Hilton Hotels Corp.
"When we we found out that they {Waldorf-Astoria officials} have spent more than $150 million in the restoration of this building, we decided it should be celebrated," said Laurie Beckelman, executive director of the conservancy. "It's our grand hotel."
Brooke Astor and Brendan Gill, the conservancy's chairman emeritus, presented the award. Gill said the award is not given yearly, only when the conservancy feels a particular restoration work is worthy of recognition. The last Chairman's Award, in May, 1986, went to the Duke Seaman mansion at 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue.
"It's an award we're going to cherish," said...