Building: 61 Irving Place

About the Building:
This elegant prewar coop building, at the corner of 18th street, is located on tree-lined and highly desirable Irving Place, just two blocks south of Gramercy Park, in the heart of the Gramercy Park Historic District. Built in 1899 as a schoolhouse, 61 Irving Place is one of the most striking historic buildings in this prime section of Gramercy Park. The building features a marble lobby, elevator, live-in super, laundry room, bike room and storage room. This classically designed pre-war building has recently undergone a total renovation of all the common elements. This includes a new awning, marble entry lobby, a video intercom security, and additional laundry facilities with new appliances, redone hallways and a power washing of the entire building facade which makes it look brand new. There is a doorman from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Additionally, the building receives income from four commercial spaces located in the basement which are rented out to professionals, keeping the maintenance low. Storage is available in the building on a first come first served basis.
About the Neighborhood:
Irving Place is one of Manhattan’s rare human scaled avenues. It has a rich historic background with the convenience of being so near one of the great New York City Hubs; Union Square. Irving Place includes a six block long extension of Lexington Avenue south of Gramercy Park which pays homage to one of early America’s greatest writers. It is an intimate neighborhood, filled with landmarked private houses, cafes, excellent restaurants, fitness clubs and sports centers. Most notable are the 150 year old Pete’s Tavern, which makes the claim to being the oldest continuously operating bar in New York City, and “Friend of a Farmer”, which features “fresh from the farm” custom omelets and seemingly always long lines to get in to its famous weekend brunches. Nearby are theaters, parks, the famous Union Square Farmers Market, Trader Joes, Whole Foods and several national clothing and electronics outlets.
Transportation:
Irving Place has some of the best access to transportation where seven subway lines, the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, and L subway trains, pass through nearby Union Square station. In addition, the PATH train to New Jersey is just a few blocks away. Most all of Manhattan neighborhoods and downtown Brooklyn, are at your fingertips.
Buses: M1, M2, M3, M101, M102, M103, M14 and M23 are the crosstown buses.

Description by Fern Hamberger and Michael Hamberger