Born in 1926 in the heart of Terminal City, Omni Berkshire Place quickly earned its place among New York’s cultural icons. Rodgers & Hammerstein began their partnership here in 1942. A century later, we continue to welcome travelers with classic charm and modern luxury.
Explore the key moments that shaped this iconic New York hotel.
Designed by the legendary architectural firm Warren & Wetmore—the same visionary minds behind Grand Central Terminal—Omni Berkshire Place was conceived as an essential pillar of Terminal City, the grand urban plan that reshaped Midtown Manhattan in the early 20th century. More than just a hotel, it was crafted as a statement of arrival: a sanctuary of refinement that echoed the beaux-arts splendor radiating from the newly imagined heart of the city. With its Classic Revival façade, elegant proportions, and meticulous detailing, the property was built to mirror the optimism and ambition of a New York on the rise. The hotel’s architecture seamlessly extended the grandeur of Grand Central’s monumental design, creating a unified district where travelers, socialites, and cultural icons could move through a world defined by grace, symmetry, and sophistication. From its earliest days, Omni Berkshire Place embodied the spirit of Terminal City—a fusion of transportation, architecture, and luxury hospitality, all crafted to elevate the experience of those calling Manhattan home, even if just for a night. A century later, its legacy endures: an icon rooted in history, yet continually transformed to meet the needs of the modern traveler, all while preserving the timeless elegance that has defined it since 1926.
From its earliest days, The Berkshire emerged as a sanctuary for the visionaries who shaped America’s cultural landscape. Its generously scaled suites, residential comfort, and quiet sense of refinement made it a natural home for artists, writers, musicians, and performers seeking inspiration amid the rhythm of Midtown Manhattan. Among its most storied residents were Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who, in 1942, began writing what would become the groundbreaking musical Oklahoma! within the hotel’s walls. Their time at The Berkshire marked the birth of a new era in American theater, and the suite they worked in—now the Rodgers & Hammerstein Suite—stands today as a tribute to their enduring legacy. But their story is only one chapter. The Berkshire became a discreet retreat for countless creatives: a place where ideas were shaped, scripts were polished, and melodies drifted through open windows into the hum of the city below. Its atmosphere—elevated yet unpretentious, luxurious yet deeply personal—invited both productivity and repose. That creative heritage continues to define the hotel’s spirit. Even today, guests feel the same sense of intimacy and inspiration that once drew the greats. The Berkshire remains a haven of timeless elegance—a place where culture is both remembered and continually reborn.
Over the decades, Omni Berkshire Place has embraced a legacy of thoughtful transformation—an ongoing commitment to refinement that honors its past while welcoming the future. From its early renovations in the 1970s, which modernized the guest experience for a new era of travelers, to its sweeping multimillion-dollar restoration in the 1990s, the hotel has continually reimagined itself with care, craftsmanship, and respect for its historic character. Each renewal preserved the building’s classic elegance while introducing contemporary comforts and elevated design, ensuring the hotel remained a beacon of sophistication in the ever-changing landscape of Midtown Manhattan. Today, Omni Berkshire Place stands as a quietly luxurious sanctuary, blending heritage and modernity with effortless grace. With its refined accommodations, polished service, and enviable location—mere steps from Fifth Avenue’s iconic boutiques, Rockefeller Center, and the bright lights of Broadway—the hotel continues to offer an experience defined by excellence. It is a place where history lives beautifully alongside innovation, and where every stay reflects a century-long dedication to impeccable hospitality.
