13 and 15 West 54th Street

Buildings in Manhattan, New York May 2021 William Murray Residences cp W 54th St Mar 2021 12.jpg The houses as seen in March 2021 (number 15 at left and number 13 at right) View of the front facade from the opposite sidewalk 13–15 West 54th Street, Manhattan, New York, US 40 45 42 N 73 58 35 W it yes yes center 250 250 14 point 13 and 15 West 54th Street Henry Janeway Hardenbergh Renaissance inspired January 4, 1990 Residences at 5-15 West 54th Street 89002260 yes 1104, 1105 February 3, 1981 New York City Landmark 13 and 15 West 54th Street (also the William Murray Residences) are two commercial buildings in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, United States. They are along 54th Street's northern sidewalk between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. The four-and-a-half-story houses were designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in the Renaissance-inspired style and were constructed between 1896 and 1897 as private residences. They are the two westernmost of five consecutive townhouses erected along the same city block during the 1890s, the others being 5, 7, and 9–11 West 54th Street. The buildings were designed as a nearly identical pair of houses. The facade is made of limestone with rusticated blocks on the first story and smooth blocks on the upper stories. The houses contain a rounded oriel facing 54th Street and a central pair of entrances above the raised basement. The houses are nearly identical except for their roofs; the eastern house at number 13 has a mansard roof while the western house at number 15 has a balustrade. The houses were commissioned for businessman William Murray, who respectively sold 13 and 15 West 54th to Jessie Neilson and James B. Dickson. Number 13 was purchased by John D. Rockefeller Sr. in 1906 and served as the home of his son and daughter-in-law, John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, until 1913, after which it was leased by various families through the 1950s. Ownership of number 15 was much more stable, as the Dicksons occupied the site until 1953. Nelson Rockefeller used number 13 as an office from the 1940s until his death in 1979, and he bought number 15 and operated it as the Museum of Primitive Art from 1957 to 1979. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the house as an official landmark in 1981, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 as part of the 5–15 West 54th Street Residences historic district. Site 13 and 15 West 54th Street are in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, United States. They are along the northern sidewalk of 54th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. The land lots are both rectangular and each cover 2,513 ft2, with a frontage of 25 ft on 54th Street and a depth of 100.42 ft. The buildings are the westernmost of five consecutive townhouses erected along the same city block; from east to west, the other houses are 5, 7, and 9–11 West 54th Street.333. National Park Service 1990 2 The five townhouses are adjoined by the Rockefeller Apartments to the west, The Peninsula New York and the St. Regis New York hotels to the northeast, the University Club of New York and 689 Fifth Avenue to the east, the William H. Moore House and Saint Thomas Church to the southeast, and the Museum of Modern Art to the south.13 West 54 Street, 10019 https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/26#18.07/40.761671/-73.975659 live March 20, 2020 New York City Department of City Planning May 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210519163521/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/26#18.07/40.761671/-73.97565915 West 54 Street, 10019 https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/25#18.07/40.761705/-73.97574 live March 20, 2020 New York City Department of City Planning May 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210519163518/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/25#18.07/40.761705/-73.97574 Fifth Avenue between 42nd Street and Central Park South (59th Street) was relatively undeveloped through the late 19th century.June 23, 2009 John Peirce Residence http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210610192640/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf June 10, 2021 April 28, 2021 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission 2 live The surrounding area was once part of the common lands of the city of New York.Stokes Isaac Newton Phelps 1915 The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498–1909 https://archive.org/details/iconographyofman06stok live https://web.archive.org/web/20120415060518/http://archive.org:80/details/iconographyofman06stok April 15, 2012 6 Robert H. Dodd 67 Internet Archive The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 established Manhattan's street grid with lots measuring 100 ft deep and 25 ft wide.558 Upscale residences were constructed around Fifth Avenue following the American Civil War.578 1880 The two-block stretch of West and East 54th Street from Madison Avenue to Sixth Avenue, bisected by Fifth Avenue, was developed with the houses of prominent figures such as William Henry Moore, John R. Platt, and John D. Rockefeller Sr.November 22, 2016 Minnie E. Young House http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2577.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20170915233331/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2577.pdf September 15, 2017 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission 4 May 25, 2021 live The sites of the five houses at 5–15 West 54th Street, along with the University Club, were formerly occupied by St. Luke's Hospital, which moved out during 1896.Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a 1; Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b . 1. National Park Service 1990 7 Architecture The houses at 5–15 West 54th Street, all developed in the late 1890s for wealthy clients, were designed as a cohesive grouping, unlike other residences in the neighborhood.National Park Service 1990 . 8 According to The New York Times, the houses form the sole remaining "real strip of mansions" in Midtown Manhattan.Gray Christopher Christopher Gray (architectural historian) 2006-06-18 Interior Details Come Home Again to Millionaires' Row en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/realestate/18scap.html 2021-05-19 0362-4331 May 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210519143226/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/realestate/18scap.html live The houses at 5, 7, 9–11, and 13 and 15 West 54th Street all had different architects. The twin houses at 13 and 15 West 54th Street were designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in the Renaissance-inspired style.. National Park Service 1990 10 Facade thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Close-up of fourth story windows on number 15 The buildings are both three bays wide on their street facade. The exteriors are nearly mirror images of each other, except that number 13 has an attic story and number 15 does not. The basement and first floor of both buildings are clad with rusticated blocks of limestone, while the three upper floors are clad with smooth limestone.Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a 2, Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b . 2. National Park Service 1990 5 The houses' original exteriors are intact. In front of both houses, there is a depressed areaway, with steps descending to the basement level on the outer end of the shared facade (corresponding to the left side of number 15 and the right side of number 13). At the top of each depressed areaway are two brackets with carvings of grotesques, which support double-story oriels above them. The center of the shared facade, corresponding to the right side of number 13 and left side of number 15, has a symmetrical pair of curved stoops. The stoops are doglegs that run east from the middle of number 15 and west from the middle of number 13. On the portion of the stoop wall facing the sidewalk are oval vents with iron grilles, above which are cartouches. At the top of each stoop is an archway with a wood-and-glass double door. Above either door is an ornate cartouche. The cartouches support second-story balconies with stone balustrades, which are curved outward. Behind each of these balconies are windows topped by eared architraves that flank ornate keystones.Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a 2–3, Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b . 2–3 The double-story oriels occupy the first and second stories on the left side of number 15 and the right side of number 13. Each oriel contains three windows per story. The windows on the second story of the oriel are flanked by vermiculated blocks. The third story of each house has three windows that are centered to their respective facades. The third-story windows are flanked by vermiculated blocks and topped by lintels with elaborate scrolled keystones. Below the fourth floor is a stone string course that doubles as the sill for the fourth-story windows. There are also three windows on the fourth story of each house, as well as a carved plaque at the center of the facade between numbers 15 and 13. The windows and plaque are flanked by Ionic pilasters with pedestals at the bottom and volutes at the top. An additional pilaster, pedestal, and volute are at either extreme end of the shared facade. Above the fourth floor is a denticulated cornice. Number 13 has a copper mansard roof with three dormer windows, while number 15 has a balustrade above the cornice.Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a 3, Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b . 3 Interior The interiors of the houses contain ceilings that range from 10 to 17 ft high.Radomsky Rosalie R. 2017-09-12 Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/realestate/commercial/recent-transactions.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151637/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/realestate/commercial/recent-transactions.html live 2013, the basement and first floor are used by Italian restaurant Il Gattopardo. The basement contains the restaurant's party room while the first story contains the main dining area.Cuozzo Steve 2013-10-09 Il Gattopardo still thrills in new location https://nypost.com/2013/10/08/il-gattopardo-still-thrills-in-new-location/ 2021-05-23 New York Post en-US May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001441/https://nypost.com/2013/10/08/il-gattopardo-still-thrills-in-new-location/ live The top two stories of the two townhouses are connected to 20 West 55th Street, a 13-story office building, at their rears.Holusha John 2001-07-11 Commercial Real Estate; A Redesign to Fill Vacancies in Rockefeller Houses en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/11/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-a-redesign-to-fill-vacancies-in-rockefeller-houses.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524002133/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/11/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-a-redesign-to-fill-vacancies-in-rockefeller-houses.html live Construction of the office building, designed by Emery Roth & Sons,Oct 1989 Names and News https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1989-10.pdf Oculus 52 2 10 May 25, 2021 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151306/https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1989-10.pdf live involved replacing the rear walls of numbers 13 and 15 with glass, overlooking the office building's five-story atrium.1984-03-04 Postings; Using Landmarks en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/04/realestate/postings-using-landmarks.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234147/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/04/realestate/postings-using-landmarks.html live Including the office addition, the structures occupy a total of 97500 ft2.8 Jan 1985 Danish Bank Buys Lot, Leases Townhouses, Plans to Build Offices 1 The Wall Street Journal 0099-9660 397907133DePalma Anthony Anthony DePalma (author) 1985-03-27 Real Estate; A Danish Bank Deal On 54th St. en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/27/business/real-estate-a-danish-bank-deal-on-54th-st.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234152/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/27/business/real-estate-a-danish-bank-deal-on-54th-st.html live History Residences thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Detail of number 13's oriel at the second story In 1896, with the relocation of St. Luke's Hospital from Midtown to Morningside Heights, Manhattan, the hospital's former site on the northern side of 54th Street west of Fifth Avenue became available for development. The University Club, whose construction commenced the same year, was the first structure to be built on the former hospital plot. Unlike the other three mansions on 5–15 West 54th Street, the houses at 13 and 15 West 54th Street were developed as speculative developments instead of being purposefully built for a specific family.National Park Service 1990 . 12 William Murray had bought two of the St. Luke's lots in July 1895 for $125,000.16 July 1895 For St. Luke's Hospital Property: Prices to Be Paid for Seventeen Lots Which Are Authorized to Be Sold to Pay for the New Buildings 4 New-York Tribune 5740621111895-07-16 In the Real Estate Field; Sale of Part of the St. Luke's Property Authorized en-US 13 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/07/16/103368728.pdf 2021-05-23 0362-4331 November 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211102091833/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/07/16/103368728.pdf live Henry J. Hardenbergh was commissioned to design a pair of houses on the two lots. The architect filed plans for the house with the New York City Department of Buildings around 1896. The houses were completed circa 1898. Murray conveyed number 13, approximately 275 ft west of Fifth Avenue, to Jessie L. Nielson in January 1898.January 22, 1898 Conveyances https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_021&page=ldpd_7031148_021_00000184&no=1 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 61 151 (Note: this source cites the house as 19 West 54th, but the distance from Fifth Avenue corresponds to that of 13 West 54th.) columbia.edu 1558 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175507/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_021&page=ldpd_7031148_021_00000184&no=1 live Financier and oil heir John D. "Junior" Rockefeller Jr., along with Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, rented number 13 in 1901, around the same time they were married.1901-09-26 Society Day by Day 6 New-York Tribune newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78234847/society-day-by-day/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78234847/society-day-by-day/ live1901-09-26 New Home for John D. Rockefeller Jr. 16 The New York Times newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236060/new-home-for-john-d-rockefeller-jr/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175518/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236060/new-home-for-john-d-rockefeller-jr/ live The house was just across from the residence of Junior's father, John D. Rockefeller, at 4 West 54th Street. At the time of the lease, a columnist for the New-York Tribune wrote, "John D. Rockefeller, Jr. certainly has no regard for unlucky thirteen."1901-10-13 House Superstitions 31 New-York Tribune newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235434/house-superstitions/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175514/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235434/house-superstitions/ live Next door, Murray retained ownership of number 15 until late 1905, when the firm Pease & Elliman sold that house.December 16, 1905 Dwellings https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_036&page=ldpd_7031148_036_00001000&no=1 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 76 958 columbia.edu 1970 May 25, 2021 May 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210523222046/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_036&page=ldpd_7031148_036_00001000&no=1 live1905-12-15 In the Real Estate Field 16 The New York Times newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78231977/in-the-real-estate-field/ 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78231977/in-the-real-estate-field/ live The buyer was Johnson & Higgins Insurance Company president James B. Dickson,Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b . 3National Park Service 1990 . 13 who finalized his purchase in January 1906.1906-01-06 Real Estate Transfers 14 The New York Times newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236624/real-estate-transfers/ 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236624/real-estate-transfers/ live Four of John and Abby Rockefeller's children were born while the Rockefellers lived at number 13, starting with their eldest child, Abby, in 1903.1903-11-10 Rockefeller Baby Born 1 The New York Times newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235919/rockefeller-baby-born/ 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235919/rockefeller-baby-born/ live John D. Rockefeller III was born at number 13 in March 1906.27 Mar 1906 World's Richest Baby: J. D. Rockefeller III Likely to Be Chief Heir to Billions of Dollars 9 The Nashville American 929179886 The same month, Murray sold the land under the east wall of number 13 to Jessie Neilson.March 31, 1906 Conveyances https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000637&no=7 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 77 583 columbia.edu 1985 May 25, 2021 May 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210523222116/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000637&no=7 live She filed plans for an expansion of number 13, to be designed by Delano & Aldrich.1906-04-17 To Enlarge Dwelling House 11 New-York Tribune newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235333/to-enlarge-dwelling-house/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235333/to-enlarge-dwelling-house/ liveApril 21, 1906 Private Sales Market https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000775&no=4 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 77 721 columbia.edu 1988 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175513/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000775&no=4 live The plans called for the addition of the fifth-story attic, a sun parlor at the rear, and a new window and elevator at a cost of $10,000. Nielson sold the house to Junior's father shortly afterward in May 1906.May 19, 1906 Conveyances https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00001015&no=2 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 77 961 columbia.edu 1992 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175501/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00001015&no=2 live John Sr, in turn, gave the house to Junior in 1909.1909-07-19 Rockefeller is Giving Away Yet More Property 3 Santa Ana Register newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255865/rockefeller-is-giving-away-yet-more/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225520/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255865/rockefeller-is-giving-away-yet-more/ live Two more Rockefeller children were born while the Rockefellers lived at number 13: Nelson in 1908, at their New England summer home,1908-07-10 Another Rockefeller Heir 7 The Sun newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255939/another-rockefeller-heir/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255939/another-rockefeller-heir/ live and Laurance in 1910, in New York City.Harr J.E. https://books.google.com/books?id=bqwNAQAAMAAJ The Rockefeller Century Johnson P.J. Charles Scribner's Sons Scribner 1988 978-0-684-18936-9 5 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225508/https://books.google.com/books?id=bqwNAQAAMAAJ live By 1912, the Rockefellers desired a new house for their four young children.1912-06-28 John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s New Home 4 Brookville Headlight newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256193/john-d-rockefeller-jrs-new-home/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256193/john-d-rockefeller-jrs-new-home/ live The family moved to 10 West 54th Street, across the street from number 13.Gray Christopher Christopher Gray (architectural historian) 1994-05-22 Streetscapes/The Rockefeller City House; Pied-a-Terre Off Fifth for a Parsimonious Billionaire en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/22/realestate/streetscapes-rockefeller-city-house-pied-terre-off-fifth-for-parsimonious.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 April 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210430181544/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/22/realestate/streetscapes-rockefeller-city-house-pied-terre-off-fifth-for-parsimonious.html live Junior leased his old residence to Mrs. William W. Borden of Chicago in 1913.1913-10-15 City Dwellings Rented 15 The Sun newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257214/city-dwellings-rented/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257214/city-dwellings-rented/ liveOctober 18, 1913 Manhattan Leases https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000851&no=18 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 92 715 columbia.edu 2379 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225514/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000851&no=18 live Borden leased number 13 in 1918 to Howard W. Maxwell,September 28, 1918 Leases https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_062&page=ldpd_7031148_062_00000645&no=8 The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide 102 373 columbia.edu 13 May 25, 2021 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175515/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_062&page=ldpd_7031148_062_00000645&no=8 live1918-09-27 Tenants for Fine Houses 14 New York Herald newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256871/tenants-for-fine-houses/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256871/tenants-for-fine-houses/ live an Atlas Portland Cement Company vice president and New York Trust Company director. Maxwell and his wife used number 13 as their city residence and kept a country residence on Long Island.1918-10-06 Autum Events in Society Assist War Relief Funds 65 New York Herald newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257473/autum-events-in-society-assist-war/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257473/autum-events-in-society-assist-war/ live The surrounding neighborhood rapidly became a commercial zone after World War I, and many neighboring townhouses were converted to commercial use, but the Rockefellers and Dicksons respectively retained ownership of their houses. The Rockefellers leased number 13 to Robert Abel-Smith in 1932,10 Sep 1932 Real Estate Transactions in City and Suburban Fields: Brokers Report Active Leasing Of Apartments Dean Bedford, Associate of Banking Firm, Takes Suite in East 72d Street 26 New York Herald Tribune 1114831602 and the surgeon Charles W. Depping had an office there by 1936.1936-03-17 Rents Suites From Plan; Doctor Leases Two Apartments in New Rockefeller Unit. en-US 42 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/03/17/85260646.pdf 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 9, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220509133224/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/03/17/85260646.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live After James B. Dickson's death at an unknown date, his widow Harriet continued to live at number 15 until her death in March 1953.1953-03-04 Mrs. James B. Dickson en-US 27 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/03/04/93398802.pdf 2021-05-24 0362-4331 Rockefeller museum and offices left|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Rockefeller Apartments at left and 11 West 54th Street at right in March 2021 In October 1953, Nelson Rockefeller, who already owned number 13, acquired the twin townhouse at number 15.22 Oct 1953 W. 54th St. Home Sold To Nelson Rockefeller 52 The New York Times 0362-4331 112746909 The next year, Rockefeller established the Museum of Primitive Art, a collection of ancient art that he intended to display in number 15. The art collection had been assembled over the previous decade but had never been shown together. Rockefeller wished to renovate a portion of the townhouse and anticipated expanding it with the growth of his collection.1954-12-18 Museum to Show Early Native Art; Nelson Rockefeller Sets Up Institution With His Own World-Wide Collection en-US 17 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1954/12/18/84447336.pdf 2021-05-23 0362-4331 In 1955, Rockefeller acquired number 15. Over the next two years, the interior of the residence was extensively renovated, with space for the collection's items on the lowest two floors, as well as library space on the upper two floors. The Museum of Primitive Art opened to the public in February 1957.Knox Sanka 1957-02-21 New Art Museum Shows Primitives; Nelson Rockefeller Display Opens to the Public Today at '15 West 54th Street Queens Educator Is Aide en-US 23 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/02/21/84953280.pdf 2021-05-23 0362-4331 The museum's collection of over a thousand pieces was transferred to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in 1969.Martinez Alanna 2015-08-26 How Art Collected By a Long-Lost Rockefeller Changed the Met Museum https://observer.com/2015/08/how-art-collected-by-a-long-lost-rockefeller-changed-the-met-museum-forever/ 2021-05-23 Observer May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001449/https://observer.com/2015/08/how-art-collected-by-a-long-lost-rockefeller-changed-the-met-museum-forever/ liveHellman Geoffrey T. 1969-06-07 Winner https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/06/07/winner-6 2021-05-23 The New Yorker May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001441/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/06/07/winner-6 live The Museum of Primitive Art closed in 1976 and its collections were transferred to the Met.Rockefeller, Nelson Aldrich https://www.metmuseum.org/art/libraries-and-research-centers/leonard-lauder-research-center/research/index-of-cubist-art-collectors/rockefeller live 2021-05-24 Metropolitan Museum of Art January 4, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104171417/https://www.metmuseum.org/art/libraries-and-research-centers/leonard-lauder-research-center/research/index-of-cubist-art-collectors/rockefeller Nelson Rockefeller maintained a luncheon space and private office next door at number 13, which was connected by a passageway to his offices on 20–22 West 55th Street.Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a . 3Clarity James 1967-11-25 Governor's Midtown Offices, the Unofficial State Capitol; Brought Up Here en-US 41 The New York Times subscription http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/11/25/84802363.pdf 2021-05-24 0362-4331 During the 1960s, when Rockefeller served as the Governor of New York, the 55th Street buildings were described by The New York Times as the "unofficial Capitol of New York State", and 13 West 54th Street served as a rear entrance and exit to his 55th Street offices. Rockefeller retained the office throughout the rest of his life, even when he served as the Vice President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. A little more than two years after leaving the vice presidency, Rockefeller suffered a heart attack and died at his 54th Street office in January 1979.McFadden Robert D. Robert D. McFadden 1979-01-29 New Details Are Reported on How Rockefeller Died en-US The New York Times subscription https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/29/archives/new-details-are-reported-on-how-rockefeller-died-time-of-death.html 2021-05-23 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001441/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/29/archives/new-details-are-reported-on-how-rockefeller-died-time-of-death.html live2014-06-13 Rockefellers have known prominence, tragedy https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/06/13/rockefeller-family-known-prominence-tragedy/10438241/ 2021-05-24 lohud.com May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001442/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/06/13/rockefeller-family-known-prominence-tragedy/10438241/ live The heart attack occurred in the presence of aide Megan Marshack, who called a friend to report Rockefeller's heart attack to emergency operators.McFadden Robert D. Robert D. McFadden 1979-02-09 Rockefeller Aide Did Not Make Call to 911 en-US The New York Times subscription https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/09/archives/rockefeller-aide-did-not-make-call-to-911-tv-personality-friend-of.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001443/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/09/archives/rockefeller-aide-did-not-make-call-to-911-tv-personality-friend-of.html live In his will, "no specific disposition" of the houses at 13–15 West 54th Street was recorded.Berlage Randall V. 1979-02-10 Rockefeller estate $66.5m 1, 5 The Boston Globe newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260307/rockefeller-estate-665m/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260307/rockefeller-estate-665m/ live Later use thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Seen in 2008 By late 1979, the Mendik Realty Company had acquired 13–15 West 54th Street, along with the rear properties at 20–22 West 55th Street.Huxtable Ada Louise Ada Louise Huxtable 1979-10-20 New York zoning laws blasted for lack of teeth 125 Fort Lauderdale News newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260109/new-york-zoning-laws-blasted-for-lack/ 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260109/new-york-zoning-laws-blasted-for-lack/ live Though the Museum of Modern Art was occupying the houses while its own structure was being rebuilt, there were rumors that the four properties would be demolished to make way for an office building. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the five houses at 5–15 West 54th Street as city landmarks,1981-02-06 Rocky's townhouse tagged a landmark 82 New York Daily News newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78050036/rockys-townhouse-tagged-a-landmark/ 2021-05-20 May 21, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210521003517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78050036/rockys-townhouse-tagged-a-landmark/ live including 13 and 15 West 54th Street, on February 3, 1981. The Committee for the Preservation of West 54th and West 55th Streets had pushed for the landmark designation. At the time, the five houses were in various states of preservation: even as 13 and 15 West 54th Street had been proposed for demolition, the double house at 9–11 West 54th Street was being restored. The landmark designation made it harder for any of the houses to be demolished.Huxtable Ada Louise Ada Louise Huxtable 1981-06-21 Architecture View; Some Good News, and Bad, for West 54th Street en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/21/arts/architechure-view-some-good-news-and-bad-for-west-54th-street.html 2021-05-20 0362-4331 May 21, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210521003301/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/21/arts/architechure-view-some-good-news-and-bad-for-west-54th-street.html live The developer Feldman Brothers took over the four properties at 13–15 West 54th .and 20–22 West 55th Street. In December 1981, Feldman Brothers announced plans to build a 32-story tower at 22 West 55th Street and convert 13 and 15 West 54th Street to office use. After objections from neighborhood residences, in 1983 the developers agreed to build a 13-story building instead.Shenon Philip 1983-04-03 Office Building Is Set for 55th St. After an Accord With Developer en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/03/nyregion/office-building-is-set-for-55th-st-after-an-accord-with-developer.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234146/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/03/nyregion/office-building-is-set-for-55th-st-after-an-accord-with-developer.html live Danish bank Privatbanken bought the office building and leased the 54th Street houses in 1985 for close to $30 million, with an option to buy the houses. Under the arrangement, Feldman Brothers would complete the office building's construction and renovate the two houses, which were being refurbished by Haines Lundberg Waehler. The bank's name was installed in gold letters outside the houses.Dunlap David W. David W. Dunlap 1986-10-16 Column One: Changes en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/nyregion/column-one-changes.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234150/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/nyregion/column-one-changes.html live In 1986, Tore Wretman and Håkan Swahn announced they would open a Swedish restaurant, Restaurant Aquavit, in the lower two stories of number 13.Gutis Philip S. 1986-09-07 Postings: New From Sweden; Aquavit on 54th en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/07/realestate/postings-new-from-sweden-aquavit-on-54th.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234151/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/07/realestate/postings-new-from-sweden-aquavit-on-54th.html livehttps://books.google.com/books?id=l-UCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160 Scandinavian Sep 21, 1987 New York Magazine New York Media, LLC 160 2021-05-24 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234145/https://books.google.com/books?id=l-UCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160 live Aquavit opened the next year.Miller Bryan 1987-12-18 Diner's Journal en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/arts/diner-s-journal.html 2021-05-24 0362-4331 May 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234149/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/arts/diner-s-journal.html live On January 4, 1990, the buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Residences at 5–15 West 54th Street historic district.1990 National Register of Historic Places Weekly Lists for 1990 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-1990-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf live 2021-01-01 National Park Service 2 March 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210325014520/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-1990-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf The next occupant of the houses, Danish bank Unibank, left several stories unused for several months on end before it moved out by 2000. Early in 2001, the Emmes Group of Companies paid $30 million for 13–15 West 54th and 20–22 West 55th Street. The company hired Helpern Architects to redesign the lobby of the office unit. After Aquavit's lease expired in 2004, it relocated from 13 to 15 West 54th Street to a nearby building on 65 East 55th Street.Fabricant Florence Florence Fabricant 2003-12-24 Food Stuff; Off the Menu en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/24/dining/food-stuff-off-the-menu.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151312/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/24/dining/food-stuff-off-the-menu.html live Both houses were sold in 2004 for $23 million to Rock 54, LLC.2004-11-15 Deed; Grantor: Haut Brion Partners, LLC; Grantee: Rock 54, LLC https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/DS/DocumentSearch/DocumentImageView?doc_id=2004111702188002 2021-01-01 New York City Department of Finance; Office of the City Register May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151307/https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/DS/DocumentSearch/DocumentImageView?doc_id=2004111702188002 live Gray Kunz subsequently opened the Grayz restaurant in the former Aquavit space in 2007.Bruni Frank Frank Bruni 2007-12-05 The Lounge That Ate a Restaurant en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/dining/reviews/05rest.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151309/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/dining/reviews/05rest.html liveGray Kunz, Grayz Restaurant http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/oct2007-newrestaurant_Grayz.asp live 2021-05-25 NY Restaurant Insider May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151306/http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/oct2007-newrestaurant_Grayz.asp After two years, Grayz was replaced by Atria, which only operated for another four months.Kludt Amanda 2010-07-23 Nice's La Petite Maison Will Open in Old Grayz/Atria Space https://ny.eater.com/2010/7/23/6725441/nices-la-petite-maison-will-open-in-old-grayz-atria-space 2021-05-25 Eater NY May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151306/https://ny.eater.com/2010/7/23/6725441/nices-la-petite-maison-will-open-in-old-grayz-atria-space live La Petite Maison then took the restaurant space in 2010.Sifton Sam Sam Sifton 2011-03-22 Magnates and Beignets in Midtown en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/dining/reviews/23rest.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151312/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/dining/reviews/23rest.html live The Il Gattopardo restaurant opened in the townhouses' restaurant space in 2013.Fabricant Florence Florence Fabricant 2013-08-27 Slow-Smoked Texas Barbecue at Morgans, and More Restaurant Openings en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/dining/slow-smoked-texas-barbecue-at-morgans-and-more-restaurant-openings.html 2021-05-25 0362-4331 May 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151305/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/dining/slow-smoked-texas-barbecue-at-morgans-and-more-restaurant-openings.html live Eagle's View Capital Management leased the third floor of the houses in 2017. See also List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets References Citations Sources February 3, 1981 13 West 54th Street Residence http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1104.pdf New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981a February 3, 1981 15 West 54th Street Residence http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1105.pdf New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Landmarks Preservation Commission 1981b https://catalog.archives.gov/medialz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/89002260.pdf Historic Structures Report: Residences at 5-15 West 54th Street January 4, 1990 National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service National Park Service 1990 Architecture New York City Category:1897 establishments in New York City Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1897 Category:Commercial buildings in Manhattan Category:Historic district contributing properties in Manhattan Category:Midtown Manhattan Category:New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan Category:Residential buildings completed in 1897 Category:Rockefeller family residences