Ruggles’s gift: The key to Gramercy Park
On Gramercy Park
North, a two-bedroom, two-bath coop
in a 1930 building has a working
fi replace, beamed ceilings and a view
of the park. $2.5 million.
(Compass.com/listing/44-gramercy
park-north-unit-7c-manhattan-ny-
10010/139995114029220337/)
In the same building, a sweet onebedroom,
one-bath has a dramatic
casement window. The doorman elevator
building has a wonderful roof
deck with Empire State Building views.
$725,000.
(Brownstoner.com/listing/URBANCOMPASS
88982286405494769/44-
gramercy-park-n-gramercy-park-ny-
10010/)
On the market at 60 Gramercy Park
North is a two-bedroom, one-and-ahalf
bath co-op in a 1928 building with
a gracious lobby. $1.649 million.
(Elliman.com/new-york-city/60-
gramercy-park-north-6k-manhattanlfnaisw)
A one-bedroom, one-bath Gramercy
Park South co-op is newly renovated
and sports a sleek kitchen. $799,000.
(Corcoran.com/nyc-real-estate/
for-sale/gramercy/31-gramercy-parksouth
apt-2a/5703050)
This Gramercy
Park view,
above, is yours — for $2.5 million.
The terrace at 44 Gramercy Park
North, left.
Revival, the architecture of Gramercy
Park has distinct character and a sense
of time and place. Gramercy Park is a
neighborhood steeped in history. Life
here is a reprieve from the stresses
of everyday life and a joy to experience.”
daining, too, the personal vanity of
entailing his own name upon this creation…
he preserved the name by which
the old estate was known, the Gramercy
Seat.”
Arlene Harrison, president of the
Gramercy Park Block Association, is
the Mayor of Gramercy Park.
“I love living here because of the
unique gift Ruggles gave us, a ‘private
ornamental park’ with its surrounding
residential lots,” she said. “This
has engendered a close-knit community,
where we take care of each other,
as well as neighbors in need through
Neighbors Helping Neighbors. As the
steward of Ruggles’s legacy, it is my
mission to preserve the park and neighborhood
for future generations.”
Lynne Lerner, an agent with Compass,
is a longtime Gramercy resident.
“From limestone details, to neo-
Gothic stonework, from Queen
Anne to Georgian
Real Estate
BY MARTHA WILKIE
Those new to New York are often
surprised by Gramercy Park — a
beautifully landscaped gem, but
one with a fence and a locked gate. So
how does one get in? The key to getting
a key is owning a home on the park and
paying an annual fee. Samuel B. Ruggles,
a lawyer and politician, donated
the land for the park in 1831 and set up
the covenant that survives to this day.
“Come what will, our open squares
will remain forever imperishable,” Ruggles
declared. “Buildings, towers, palaces,
may molder and crumble beneath
the touch of time; but space — free,
glorious, open space — will remain to
bless the City forever.”
An 1851 tribute admired his
modesty: “Dis-
The lobby at 60 Gramercy Park North is suitably distinguished looking.
30 June 20, 2019 TVG Schneps Media
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