281 Park Avenue South, Manhattan, NYC - History of the Building

Originally constructed between 1892 and 1894, 281 Park Avenue South is a historic six-story commercial building located at the southeast corner of Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

The building was originally known as the Church Missions House and served as the headquarters of the Episcopal Church's Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society for much of the 20th century. Its design was inspired by the town halls of Haarlem and medieval Amsterdam, reflecting a Beaux-Arts architectural style with Flemish influences. The exterior features a granite base at ground level and Indiana Limestone on the upper floors.

Renowned architects Robert W. Gibson and Edward J. Neville Stent collaborated on the design, combining Gibson’s formal training at the Royal Academy of Arts in London with Stent’s artistic vision. The building was commissioned by prominent donors, including Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. Pierpont Morgan.

Part of an area once known as "Charity Row," the building was among several headquarters of charitable institutions in this part of Manhattan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nearby organizations included the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, and the Russell Sage Foundation.

281 Park Avenue South features impressive ceiling heights ranging from 10 to 20 feet, with vaulted ceilings on the sixth floor, and expansive views up and down Park Avenue South. Architecturally notable details include arched stained-glass windows and hand-painted murals. The building spans approximately 42,500 to 45,000 square feet over six stories.

Due to its architectural and historical significance, the building was designated a New York City Landmark in 1979 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

In recent years, the building housed Fotografiska New York, a branch of a Swedish photography museum, from 2019 until 2024. It underwent renovations around 2019 by CetraRuddy and Roman + Williams, further restoring and preserving its historic character.

Located near Gramercy Park and Madison Square Park, 281 Park Avenue South stands as a testament to Manhattan's architectural heritage and offers an iconic presence within the city’s landscape.

281 Park Avenue South, Manhattan, NYC

281 Park Avenue South is a historic Beaux-Arts landmark building located at the southeast corner of Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

Originally constructed between 1892 and 1894, the building was designed by architects Robert W. Gibson and Edward J. Neville Stent. It was commissioned by prominent donors including Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. Pierpont Morgan.

The building, formerly known as the Church Missions House, served as the headquarters of the Episcopal Church's Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society for much of the 20th century. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Architectural Features

• Six stories with a total area of approximately 42,500 to 45,000 square feet
• Facade inspired by the town halls of Haarlem and medieval Amsterdam, featuring granite at the ground level and Indiana Limestone on upper floors
• Ceiling heights ranging from 10 to 20 feet, including vaulted ceilings on the sixth floor
• Distinctive elements like arched stained-glass windows, hand-painted murals, and gothic vaulted ceilings in an annex space at 277 Park Avenue South
• Central dormer with a gable and stone cross, flanked by dormers and topped with a copper cresting and skylights

Location and Site

The rectangular lot occupies approximately 5,600 square feet, with 80 feet frontage on Park Avenue South and 70 feet on East 22nd Street.

It is adjacent to Calvary Church and near landmarks such as Madison Square Park Tower, Gramercy Park Hotel, and the United Charities Building.

An entrance to the New York City Subway 23rd Street station (served by the 6 and <6> trains) is located just outside the building.

Historical and Cultural Context

Located in an area once known as "Charity Row," the site was historically a center for charitable organizations including the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and United Cerebral Palsy of New York City.

More recently, it housed Fotografiska New York, a branch of the Swedish photography museum, from 2019 until 2024.

Amenities at 281 Park Avenue South, Manhattan, NYC

281 Park Avenue South is a historic Beaux-Arts landmark building offering a range of premium amenities designed to support diverse commercial uses.

• Fully air-conditioned building
• Two passenger elevators for convenient vertical transportation
• One freight elevator to accommodate heavy or large shipments
• Additional dedicated elevator serving the second-floor restaurant space
• Impressive ceiling heights ranging from 10 to 20 feet, with vaulted ceilings on the sixth floor
• Two full kitchens: one on the ground floor and one in the below-grade space
• Expansive views along Park Avenue South from all floors
• Prominent signage opportunities at the building frontage
• Ample storage space throughout the property
• Historic architectural features including arched stained-glass windows, hand-painted murals, and soaring ceilings in former restaurant spaces
• Direct access to nearby Metro/Subway (23rd Street station, local 6 train)

• Verizon Fios: High-speed fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps and reliable service
• Astound Broadband: Offers cable and fiber services with competitive pricing and unlimited data usage

Location and Cross Streets

281 Park Avenue South is located at the vibrant southeast corner of Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The building has approximately 80 feet of frontage on Park Avenue South and 70 feet on East 22nd Street, less than a block away from Gramercy Park itself.

Nearby cross streets and notable nearby locations include:

• East 22nd Street (directly adjacent to the north)
• East 23rd Street, one block north
• Park Avenue South, a major north-south artery
• Calvary Church to the south
• United Charities Building to the north
• Gramercy Park Hotel on the southeast corner of the block

Transportation

281 Park Avenue South offers excellent access to public transit options throughout Manhattan and beyond.

Subway

Directly outside the building is an entrance to the New York City Subway's 23rd Street station, served by the local 6 train. Other nearby subway lines serving the area include the 4, 5, 6X, L, N, Q, R, W trains accessible at nearby stations.

Bus

Multiple bus routes operate near 281 Park Avenue South, including but not limited to:

• 28, BM3, BM4, M1, M102, M3, X37, M2, SIM1C, SIM3C, SIM4C, SIM33C, Downtown Local, X38

Nearby bus stops within walking distance include:

• Park Av South / E 18 St (2 minutes)
• Park Av South / E 21 St (1 minute)
• Park Av South / E 22 St (1–3 minutes)
• E 23 St / Park Av South (2–5 minutes)
• 3 Av / E 20 St (5 minutes)
• 5 Av / W 20 St (5 minutes)

Train

Commuter train services nearby include Harlem and Port Jefferson branches, providing connectivity beyond the city.