You’ve seen it in Home Alone 2. You’ve read about Eloise skidding through its marble hallways. It is, quite literally, the most famous hotel in the world. But honestly, the question of who owns the New York Plaza Hotel is a bit like a high-stakes game of Monopoly played by the world’s wealthiest people.
It’s not just a building; it’s a trophy. A $600 million slice of Manhattan history that sits at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South.
Right now, in 2026, the answer is straightforward: Katara Hospitality owns the New York Plaza Hotel.
They aren't just some random investment firm. Katara is a state-owned entity from Qatar. Basically, the government of Qatar owns the place. They bought it back in 2018 for around $600 million, taking over 100 percent of the property. This was a massive deal because it ended years of legal drama, boardroom brawls, and a very messy ownership situation involving an Indian billionaire in prison.
Katara Hospitality and the Qatari Connection
Katara Hospitality is the heavy hitter here. They are a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which is the sovereign wealth fund of the tiny, oil-rich nation. If you’ve ever stayed at The Savoy in London or the Peninsula in Paris, you’ve been in their world.
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When they stepped in to buy the Plaza, they weren't just buying 282 hotel rooms. They were buying a 19-story French Renaissance-style masterpiece.
But here is where it gets a little complicated. While Katara owns the "bricks and mortar," they don't actually run the day-to-day operations. If you walk into the lobby today and ask for a room, the person behind the desk is likely an employee of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Fairmont has managed the property since 2005. It’s a classic real estate move: one person owns the building, another person runs the business.
Why Everyone Wants a Piece of the Plaza
Owning the Plaza is about status. It’s been that way since it opened in 1907.
The hotel has traded hands so many times it's hard to keep track without a spreadsheet. Here’s a quick look at the "Who's Who" of past owners:
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- Conrad Hilton: He bought it in 1943 for $7.4 million. He loved the place so much he reportedly kept a photo of it under his desk glass.
- Donald Trump: Before he was President, he bought the Plaza in 1988 for $390 million. He famously called it his "Mona Lisa." However, his ownership was rocky, and he eventually lost it to lenders during his 1990s financial struggles.
- Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal: This Saudi Prince took over after Trump, partnering with a Singapore-based group.
- El Ad Properties: An Israeli firm that bought it in 2005 for $675 million. They’re the ones who did the massive renovation that turned a huge chunk of the hotel into luxury condominiums.
- Sahara India Pariwar: Led by Subrata Roy. This was the most chaotic era. Roy was jailed in India over financial issues, and he spent years trying to sell the hotel from a "special office" inside Tihar Jail.
Who Owns the New York Plaza Hotel Today?
Despite the rumors you might hear about new buyers or secret deals, the Qatari ownership remains solid. Katara Hospitality consolidated the ownership in July 2018. Before that, the ownership was split between Sahara India Pariwar (the majority owner) and minority stakeholders like Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp and Prince Al-Waleed’s Kingdom Holding.
Katara bought them all out. They wanted the whole thing.
The Condo Factor: It’s Not Just a Hotel
One thing people often get wrong is thinking the entire building is a hotel. It’s not.
When El Ad Properties owned it in the mid-2000s, they spent $450 million on a renovation that changed everything. They basically sliced the building in half.
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- The Hotel Side: 282 guest rooms and suites. This is what Katara owns.
- The Residential Side: 181 ultra-luxury condominiums.
So, while Katara owns the hotel and the brand, they don't own every square inch of the building. Individual millionaires and billionaires—including celebrities and CEOs—own the private apartments. If you want to "own" a piece of the Plaza, you can actually buy a condo there, though you’ll need at least $10 million to get through the door.
The Future of the Legend
Is Katara going to sell? Probably not anytime soon. Qatar has been on a decade-long spree of buying "legacy" assets across the globe. They view the Plaza as a long-term investment that provides both prestige and a steady (albeit expensive) stream of income from one of the most visited cities on Earth.
They’ve been "smart money" owners. They have the capital to maintain the 119-year-old infrastructure, which, let’s be honest, is a nightmare to keep up. Dealing with NYC landmarks and historic preservation laws requires deep pockets and even deeper patience.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you’re trying to navigate the complex world of high-end NYC real estate or just want to visit the icon, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Management: If you have a service issue, you're dealing with Fairmont, not the Qatari government.
- The Shops are Separate: The Plaza Food Hall and the high-end retail shops (like the Warren-Tricomi Salon) operate under their own commercial leases.
- The Name Matters: The "Plaza" brand is protected. Even though ownership changes, the name stays. It’s too valuable to lose.
Understanding who owns the New York Plaza Hotel gives you a glimpse into how global power works. It’s a story of oil wealth, New York real estate grit, and a building that refused to go out of style.
To see the ownership in action, your next step should be a visit to the Palm Court for afternoon tea. It's the best way to experience the grandeur without needing a $600 million bank account. Just remember to book a reservation weeks in advance—even the owners can't always get a table on short notice.