The Gramercy,
34 Gramercy Park East

Overview of The Gramercy at 34 Gramercy Park East

Built in 1883 as New York City's first cooperative, 34 Gramercy Park East stands as one of Manhattan's most iconic and historically rich residences. Designed by George W. DaCunha and developed by Charles A. Gerlach, this nine-story Queen Anne-style building is distinguished by its red brick and terra-cotta façade, grand arched entryway, and opulent lobby. The interior boasts mosaic floor tiles, Lincrusta wall coverings, Grueby and Minton mosaic tiles, and original Tiffany stained glass, as well as a striking fireplace with its original hearth and mantle mirror.

Residents at "The Gramercy" enjoy a range of amenities, including a 24-hour doorman, a live-in building manager, private storage, a package room, central laundry, and a bike room. The co-op allows pied-à-terre ownership and is pet-friendly, offering convenience in one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods. Notably, residents receive a key granting them access to the exclusive Gramercy Park, Manhattan's only private park.

The building has been home to numerous famous residents, including James Cagney, Margaret Hamilton (aka the Wicked Witch of the West), and Jimmy Fallon, adding to its storied past. In their A.I.A. Guide to New York City, authors Elliot Willensky and Norval White described it as "a craggy, mysterious red brick and red terra-cotta pile" with some of the city's most spectacular Queen Anne architecture.

When 34 Gramercy Park East first opened, it represented a different vision of cooperative living, with Gerlach famously deciding not to charge more for higher floors to avoid creating class divisions within the building. At the time, elevators were still new, and safety concerns about them were widespread. The building’s original hydraulic elevator, converted to electric in the 1990s, is considered one of the oldest in operation in New York City, if not the United States.