Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale|"History Is On Sale At A Venerable Paris Hotel"

Source             :   intransit.blogs.nytimes.com
Category        :   Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale
By                  :   ELAINE GLUSAC
Posted By     :    Hotels In Fort Lauderdale

Hampton Inn Fort Lauderdale

For those inspired by hotel design, there is now a chance to take some of it home, legally. The 100-year-old Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris will hold its first auction of vintage and not-so-old collectibles as it prepares to close for a seven-month renovation. About 1,000 items primarily from the lobby, restaurant and bar will be auctioned live on Oct. 7 and 8. Auction items range from plates found in the hotel’s Alain Ducasse restaurant to sculptures including a bust of Marie-Antoinette, oversize Louis XVI-style vases, Murano glass chandeliers, leather and mahogany liquor cabinets, and even the marble-topped oak concierge desk.

Bidding will start at 150 euros (about $195)  for embroidered cushions; most items are estimated at under 1,000 euros, although a pair of bronze floor sculpture by the artist Jean-Michel Folon are expected to sell for between 50,000 and 70,000 euros. Expected to reopen in May, the hotel will close Oct. 1 to undergo an expansion to add 25 rooms, more meeting space and a new ballroom. Francois Delahaye, chief operating officer of Dorchester Collection, which manages the hotel, said that former guests have been the most enthused about the auction, including one Frenchman who said he plans to install Plaza Athénée drapery and furniture in a second home as an homage to the hotel. Auction items will be on exhibit at the hotel Oct. 4 to 6 and can also be found online at Artcurial.

Source : intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/23/history-is-on-sale-at-a-venerable-paris-hotel/#h[]