Waldorf-Astoria (New York City)

Nikola Tesla lived for many years at the original Waldorf-Astoria in New York, primarily from the late 1890s through around 1920. He made the hotel his home during the peak of his fame and fortune, often hosting lavish dinners for friends and acquaintances, including Mark Twain. The Waldorf-Astoria served as both his residence and a social hub where he entertained investors and conducted business. One notable story involves Tesla offering a model of his proposed “death beam” weapon to help settle an overdue hotel bill.

The original Waldorf-Astoria stood at Fifth Avenue and 33rd/34th Street (the combined Waldorf and Astoria hotels, opened in 1893 and 1897 respectively). This grand Gilded Age landmark was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building.

The current Waldorf Astoria New York is not at the same physical location where Tesla lived. However, it refers to the same iconic hotel brand and legacy of luxury. Today’s hotel is the celebrated Art Deco building that opened in 1931 further uptown in Midtown Manhattan. Like many historic New York institutions, the modern Waldorf Astoria still honors its deep connection to Tesla even though the actual building he knew no longer exists.