I find it amazing that buildings (specifically the last one, the hotel) can be maintained in essentially the same state for over 100 years. I guess to a European this is normal but it feels like here in North America old things are much more rare.
Would love to see stats on building lifetimes across cohorts, e.g. do buildings from 80s, 90s etc have similar life span or are they demolished sooner.
The Plaza Hotel was designed a protected landmark by the city in 1969, which probably helped. (The original report by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on the reasons for protecting the Plaza can be read here: http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0265.pdf)
Yes, my home was built in the XII century (I’m from Europe).