The Four Seasons, home of the original power lunch, closes
Posted July 16, 2016 7:00 am
NEW YORK (AP) - It's the end of an era. The Four Seasons restaurant, where the New York City power lunch was born, is closing.
After serving a "must see" crowd of business executive and celebrities for 57 years, the Philip Johnson-designed restaurant served its last meals Saturday.
Housed in the Seagram Building on Park Avenue, its regulars included Henry Kissinger, Nora Ephron and Tom Wolfe.
The restaurant was busy Saturday with patrons snapping photos, sharing memories and savoring dinner or drinks for the last time in the famous rooms.
A new Four Seasons will open nearby following 18 months of renovation.
But those nostalgic for the original Four Season have a chance to buy a piece of it. Some of its furnishings, including flatware and barstools, go on the auction block July 26.
This July 12, 2016 photo shows one of the raw spaces in New York's 280 Park Ave., slated to become the future home of the The Four Seasons restaurant a few blocks from the original restaurant, which is scheduled to close Saturday, July 16, 2016, after 57 years. The original, in the landmarked Seagram building, was designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld will design the 20,000-square-foot interior, furnishings and tableware for the new restaurant. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, a sign at The Four Seasons restaurant, scheduled to close on July 16, thanks customers as they enter the lobby in the landmarked Seagram building, which has housed the restaurant in New York's Midtown Manhattan neighborhood for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant, a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959, was the epitome of the midcentury style. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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In this July 12, 2016 photo, the Pool Room of The Four Seasons restaurant is set for lunch service, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, which has housed the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959, and legend has it that Sophia Loren was the first guest to jump in the pool. The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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In this July 12, 2016 photo, co-owners of The Four Seasons, Alex von Bidder, left, and Julian Niccolini, on phone, work side-by-side at the entrance to the restaurant where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, a curved bench, created by artist Johnny Swing of stainless steel and welded nickels, sits in the lobby of The Four Seasons restaurant which is closing on July 16 after 57 years in New York's landmarked Seagram building, in Midtown Manhattan. The bench and most of the contents of the restaurant will be auctioned by Wright in New York on July 26. Swing's piece, titled "Murmuration," has a pre-auction estimate of $100,000 to $100,500. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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In this July 12, 2016 photo, a sculpture by Richard Lippold hangs from the ceiling above the Front Bar at The Four Seasons restaurant, where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, home to the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, chain link curtains created by textile designer Marie Nichols cover the windows at The Four Seasons restaurant in New York's landmarked Seagram building, home to the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, kitchen staff at The Four Seasons prepare soft shell crabs at the restaurant in New York's landmarked Seagram building where the power lunch was born. A favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959 and the epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, lunch is served in the Grill Room of The Four Seasons restaurant where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, home to the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, Julian Niccolini, co-owner of The Four Seasons restaurant, center, speaks with guests in the restaurant's Grill Room where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, a sculpture by Richard Lippold hangs from the ceiling above the Front Bar at The Four Seasons restaurant, where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, home to the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, a waiter speaks with diners in the Pool Room of The Four Seasons, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, which has housed the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
In this July 12, 2016 photo, lunch is served in the Grill Room of The Four Seasons where the power lunch was born, in New York's landmarked Seagram building, home to the restaurant for 57 years. Designed by the legendary architect Philip Johnson and the building's architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the restaurant was a favorite of celebrities and business titans ever since it opened in 1959. The epitome of the midcentury style in Midtown Manhattan, The Four Seasons is scheduled to close on Saturday, July 16. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Associated Press
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