By
Event venues are continuing to find new ways to accommodate large groups, adding thousands of square feet of space and expanding their offerings. But in New York City, what is arguably the Big Apple’s most iconic gathering spot is preparing to temporarily bow out of the market.
Safe to say, this November Venue News column covers a lot of ground—from landmark restorations and waterfront expansions to a brand-new theme park venue.
Here’s what’s making headlines.
The Plaza Hotel to Close for Four-Year Facade Renovation
One of New York City’s most recognizable hotels is preparing to shut its doors. Starting in 2027, The Plaza Hotel, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, will close for a four-year restoration of its iconic marble facade.
The 120-year-old property hasn’t undergone a major renovation since the early 2000s, when it closed in 2005 and reopened in 2008 following a $400 million overhaul. The project transformed much of the property, from its lobby to its rooftop, and converted a significant portion of its hotel rooms into private condominiums. Those 181 residences, now known as The Plaza Condo Residences, will be the only part of the property to remain open and operational during the forthcoming construction.
The Plaza Hotel is closing on Jan. 19, 2027 to undergo a four-year facade renovation. (Photo: Jen Dries via Unsplash)
The latest project will focus on restoring the hotel’s original marble facade, originally designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in 1907. The rusticated marble covering the lower levels has deteriorated more quickly than the smoother, polished stone on the upper floors, according to Condé Nast Traveler. The restoration’s lengthy timeline is partly due to the property’s landmark status, both nationally and within New York City. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission is working with the hotel to ensure the finished facade preserves its French Renaissance-style architecture, CN Traveler reported.
Allison Doyle Partners (ADP) Architects, the same firm behind the 2005-2008 renovation, will oversee the upcoming restoration.
According to local NYC news outlets, the closure announcement caught many by surprise, including event groups with future bookings. The Plaza has canceled all events scheduled after Jan. 19, 2027, across its more than 21,000 square feet of luxury event space.
The hotel is expected to reopen in 2031 at the earliest, although an official reopening date has not been confirmed.
The Westin Cape Coral’s New Exhibit Hall
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village is making more room for business events with the addition of a 9,100-square-foot exhibit hall.
The 308-key Southwest Florida property, which already boasts 50,000 square feet of indoor venue space, has officially opened the Horizon Exhibit Hall, capable of accommodating up to 56 exhibitor booths.
With 12-foot ceilings and direct access to the Sunset Terrace, the hall pairs exhibition space with waterfront views of Tarpon Point Marina. A 1,200-square-foot pre-function area provides additional room for networking and registration.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort has officially opened the Horizon Exhibit Hall, a 9,100-square-foot space that can accommodate up to 56 exhibitor booths. (Rendering Courtesy of The Westin Cape Coral Resort)
The new addition joins an already extensive lineup of indoor venues, including three ballrooms. The largest, the 12,250-square-foot Tarpon Point Ballroom, can host more than 1,000 guests, while the Rosen and Grandville Ballrooms are better suited for mid-sized and more intimate gatherings, respectively. Thirteen additional meeting rooms, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 1,400 square feet, round out the property’s dedicated breakout and meeting space.
And the indoor options are only half the story. The resort offers another 50,000-plus square feet of outdoor event space across multiple terraces, the Marina-side Gazebo Lawn, and The Rooftop, located 19 stories up.
Combined, the property’s indoor and outdoor offerings give it 100,000 square feet of event space—more than twice that of the 40,000 square feet available at the nearby Caloosa Sound Convention Center, located approximately 14 miles away.
The Horizon Exhibit Hall offers direct access to the Sunset Terrace (pictured). There’s an additional 50,000 square feet of outdoor venue offerings throughout the property. (Rendering Courtesy of The Westin Cape Coral Resort)
Universal Orlando Resort is Bringing Meeting Planners Inside Epic Universe
Universal Orlando Resort’s Universal Epic Universe theme park is adding another attraction. This time, it’s for meeting planners.
A new dedicated indoor event space is slated to open in 2027, bringing 19,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor gathering space to the theme park.
Located just steps from Celestial Park, the cosmic-themed hub that serves as the gateway to Epic Universe’s four additional themed worlds, the venue will accommodate up to 700 guests. Universal Orlando Resort has yet to release further details, including the space’s official name and specific opening date.
The forthcoming event space located within Universal Epic Universe will offer 19,000 square feet, enough space to accommodate up to 700 guests. (Rendering Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort)
For groups looking to book the forthcoming venue and make an evening of their surroundings, Universal’s Epic Night Out offering takes the experience into Celestial Park. The immersive dining program guides groups of up to 500 guests through select Celestial Park restaurants and dining venues.
And there’s plenty more room for events across the broader Universal Orlando Resort. Its 11 hotels collectively offer approximately 300,000 square feet of additional meeting and event space, alongside 11,000 guest rooms.
