A Taj Hotel, The Pierre is rich in stories and legends that span 95 years of unparalleled hospitality. Since its opening during the height of Prohibition in 1930, it has been the people –socialites, jetsetters, celebrities, fashion A-listers, and business magnates – who have shaped its legacy, making The Pierre an enduring destination at the center of New York society.
The hotel has become a stage for celebrations, dramas, intrigues, romances and trysts, all played out behind its doors. From Hollywood parties to fashion industry revelries and grand society weddings, The Pierre has long been a magnet for those in the know.
Karl Lagerfeld once measured the city’s distances by how far they were from The Pierre. Yves Saint Laurent made it his New York home, as did Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Taylor, and Eddie Fisher. Valentino placed The Pierre at the very heart of the fashion world.
The hotel itself was born from ambition. In the late 1920s, Charles Pierre Casalasco raised $15m from investors to purchase the former family home of Elbridge T Gerry and transform it into his dream hotel. Billed as ‘the most luxurious hotel New York has ever seen,’ The Hotel Pierre quickly became one of the city’s most reputable addresses. Nearly a century later, it continues to embody glamour and grandeur.
From the beginning, The Pierre’s DNA has rested on five enduring pillars: Les Clefs d’Or service, extraordinary cuisine, lavish celebrations, live entertainment and chic style. These qualities have always set it apart, ensuring that the hotel remains perfectly poised for its next hundred years.
In 2005, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces became lessee and operator of The Pierre, investing $100m in a revitalization that safeguarded its position as one of New York’s top hotels. Since then, Taj has continued to evolve the property with a deep respect for its heritage.
The beloved Two E Lounge was restored as an elegant bar, recalling its origins as a Gentleman’s Lounge while offering a modern club-like atmosphere. Today, it features jazz and cocktails Tuesday through Saturday.
The hotel’s Rotunda has been celebrated as one of the most romantic rooms in the city, while the Grand Ballroom underwent a $20m transformation in 2022. Reimagined for the modern era, the ballroom hosts everything from runway shows to society weddings and galas, with details like its Murano glass chandeliers restored to their original splendor.
The hotel’s dining scene is equally distinguished. Perrine delights guests with seasonal specials in a quietly elegant setting.
Today, The Pierre is as vibrant and relevant as the day it opened, evolving with modern interpretations of luxury while staying true to its five core values. With the highest standards of service, cuisine, entertainment, celebrations and style, The Pierre remains, as always, perfectly poised. Purely Pierre.
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