For 74 years, it has been a defining moment of the New York autumn social season. This year, the Boys’ Club of New York Fall Dance returns to an equally legendary setting: the magnificent, newly restored Waldorf Astoria. As the city’s most dedicated philanthropists and tastemakers gather for an unforgettable evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing, this glittering gala will celebrate two institutions whose rich, intertwined histories define the greatest city in the world.
The iconic hotel opened its doors at 301 Park Avenue in 1931 to great fanfare as it boasted the Tallest and Largest Hotel in the World at the time. Although the investors in 1929 may have suffered a bit of the jitters at the timing of the endeavor, they went full steam ahead with the project, on property owned by New York Central Railroad.
Beneath the Waldorf’s façade lies another layer of history: Track 61, a private, unused railroad platform connected to the underground network of Grand Central Terminal. This highly guarded siding was not built for commuters, but as a secretive gateway for the world’s elite — most famously utilized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discretely enter the hotel. This year, as the Boys’ Club returns to this celebrated address, the spirit of discreet elegance and history will set the stage for an unforgettable night.
Today’s Lex Yard …
Standing 47 stories tall, the Waldorf Astoria was always known by the public in general for its lavish dinner parties and charity galas. This relationship with power and prestige was cemented on opening night when President Herbert Hoover, who would later call the hotel’s tower suite home for the next three decades, delivered his radio remarks, praising the luxurious institution from the Cabinet Room at the White House to a gathering at the new Waldorf Astoria.
“The erection of this great structure at this time has been a contribution to the maintenance of employment and is an exhibition of courage and confidence to the whole Nation … I wish to congratulate the management on the consummation of its plan for the magnificent new home perpetuating the Waldorf-Astoria.”
The hotel’s long-standing status as the “unofficial palace of New York” drew in a parade of legendary long-term residents. Among those who took up residence in the Waldorf’s storied suites were Cole Porter, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, General Douglas MacArthur, Winston Churchill, and Frank Sinatra. As our very own DPC notes, the list also includes the wildly diverse: even Andy Warhol for his famous ‘underground party’ in 1965, alongside countless heirs, tycoons, and multi-millionaires who appreciated keeping a grand place available at a moment’s notice.
As the first black-tie event in the magnificent, newly restored Waldorf Astoria, BCNY and its friends eagerly anticipate an evening that will launch a brilliant new chapter for this monument to old-world taste and glamour.
For our What To Wear to this ever so stylish soiree, I was drawn to a collection of LBG’s (Long Black Gowns) as the obvious answer to the perennial question. There is nothing as chic as sporting this shade — the epitome of sophistication while stepping out to celebrate. This collection is homage to all of the great women and wonderful events the Women’s Committee has presented over the decades and a special thanks to Oscar de la Renta, the generous sponsor of The Fall Dance.
A splurge and an investment …
Sleeveless & Strapless …
Hilary’s brilliant collection is a tribute to the elegant venue. “Jewel tones seem appropriate for this special night in the historic ballroom. These dresses will shine among the tables and on the dance floor as they complement and add luster to the decor. And as an added bonus, these pieces will be perfect for events to come this holiday season.”
In recent years the younger generation of the fold flock to the fete to meet, mingle, be merry and dance to the tunes expertly spun by DJ Isaac Ferry.
Attendees to this year’s Fall Dance will experience the grand scale and beauty of the iconic Art Deco design. The restored hotel beautifully merges its centuries-old glamour with today’s luxurious standards.
And this year Boys Club New York has something special to celebrate. The Tiger Clubhouse opened its doors in September to welcome boys from the Mott Haven section of the Bronx into the BCNY Family.
In a letter from Betsy Pitts and Cynthia van Eck, the Tiger Clubhouse at 565 Morris Avenue in the South Bronx is named in honor of the foundational philanthropic leadership of the Tiger and Robertson Foundations and Josie and Julian Robertson, who were deeply involved with the Boys’ Club for decades. The new Clubhouse will be a community hub serving boys from all across New York City, and will allow BCNY to serve 1,000 more boys to its direct service roster with another 1,000 served through indirect programming. Thanks to the generosity of BCNY’s donors — and the Bronx expansion that our supporters continue to make possible — the Boys’ Club will be able to serve more than 5,500 boys each year.”
Invest in the Future: While the expansion is underway, significant spaces for donor recognition in the Tiger Clubhouse are still available.
