View source for 13 and 15 West 54th Street

{{Short description|Buildings in Manhattan, New York}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name                     = William Murray Residences
| nrhp_type                = cp
| image                    = W 54th St Mar 2021 12.jpg
| caption                  = The houses as seen in March 2021 (number 15 at left and number 13 at right)
| alt                      = View of the front facade from the opposite sidewalk
| location                 = 13–15 West 54th Street, [[Manhattan]], New York
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|45|42|N|73|58|35|W|display=it}}
| district_map             = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|frame-height=250|zoom=14|type=point|marker=|title=13 and 15 West 54th Street}}
| architect                = [[Henry Janeway Hardenbergh]]
| architecture             = Renaissance inspired
| designated_nrhp_type     = January 4, 1990
| partof                   = Residences at 5-15 West 54th Street
| partof_refnum            = 89002260<ref name="nris" />
| nocat                    = yes
| designated_other2_number = 1104, 1105
| designated_other2_link   = New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
| designated_other2_abbr   = NYCL
| designated_other2_date   = February 3, 1981
| designated_other2_name   = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2_color  = #ffe978
}}
'''13 and 15 West 54th Street''' (also the '''William Murray Residences''') are two commercial buildings in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]]. They are along [[54th Street (Manhattan)|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 West 54th Street|5]], [[7 West 54th Street|7]], and [[11 West 54th Street|9–11 West 54th Street]].
The buildings were designed as a nearly identical pair of houses. The facade is made of [[limestone]] with [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] blocks on the first story and smooth blocks on the upper stories. The houses contain a rounded [[Oriel window|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]]. They are along the northern sidewalk of [[54th Street (Manhattan)|54th Street]] between [[Fifth Avenue]] and [[Sixth Avenue]]. The [[land lot]]s are both rectangular and each cover {{convert|2,513|ft2}}, with a [[frontage]] of {{convert|25|ft}} on 54th Street and a depth of {{Convert|100.42|ft}}.<ref name="ZoLa" /> The buildings are the westernmost of five consecutive townhouses erected along the same [[city block]]; from east to west, the other houses are [[5 West 54th Street|5]], [[7 West 54th Street|7]], and [[11 West 54th Street|9–11 West 54th Street]].<ref name="aia5">{{cite aia5|page=333}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|National Park Service|1990|p=2}}</ref> 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 (Manhattan)|Saint Thomas Church]] to the southeast, and the [[Museum of Modern Art]] to the south.<ref name="ZoLa">{{Cite web|title=13 West 54 Street, 10019|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/26#18.07/40.761671/-73.975659|url-status=live|access-date=March 20, 2020|publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519163521/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/26#18.07/40.761671/-73.975659}}<br />{{Cite web|title=15 West 54 Street, 10019|url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/25#18.07/40.761705/-73.97574|url-status=live|access-date=March 20, 2020|publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]]|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519163518/https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/1270/25#18.07/40.761705/-73.97574}}</ref>
Fifth Avenue between [[42nd Street (Manhattan)|42nd Street]] and [[Central Park South]] (59th Street) was relatively undeveloped through the late 19th century.<ref name="NYCL-2327">{{cite web|date=June 23, 2009|title=John Peirce Residence|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610192640/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf|archive-date=June 10, 2021|access-date=April 28, 2021|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> The surrounding area was once part of the common lands of the city of New York.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stokes |first=Isaac Newton Phelps |year=1915 |title=The Iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498–1909 |url=https://archive.org/details/iconographyofman06stok |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415060518/http://archive.org:80/details/iconographyofman06stok |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |volume=6 |publisher=Robert H. Dodd |page=67 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The [[Commissioners' Plan of 1811]] established Manhattan's [[grid plan|street grid]] with lots measuring {{convert|100|ft}} deep and {{convert|25|ft}} wide.<ref>{{cite enc-nyc2|page=558}}</ref> Upscale residences were constructed around Fifth Avenue following the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="NYCL-2327" /><ref>{{cite NY1880|page=578}}</ref> 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 (judge)|William Henry Moore]], [[John R. Platt]], and [[John D. Rockefeller]] Sr.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 22, 2016|title=Minnie E. Young House|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2577.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915233331/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2577.pdf|archive-date=September 15, 2017|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|page=4|access-date=May 25, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 (Manhattan)|St. Luke's Hospital]], which moved out during 1896.<ref name="NYCL p. 1">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a|p=1}}; {{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b|ps=.|p=1}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 7">{{harvnb|ps=.|National Park Service|1990|p=7}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{harvnb|National Park Service|1990|ps=.|p=8}}</ref> According to ''The New York Times'', the houses form the sole remaining "real strip of mansions" in Midtown Manhattan.<ref name="nyt20060618">{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|author-link=Christopher Gray (architectural historian)|date=2006-06-18|title=Interior Details Come Home Again to Millionaires' Row|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/realestate/18scap.html|access-date=2021-05-19|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519143226/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/realestate/18scap.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The houses at 5, 7, 9–11, and 13 and 15 West 54th Street all had different architects.<ref name="aia5" /><ref name="nyt20060618" /> The twin houses at 13 and 15 West 54th Street were designed by [[Henry Janeway Hardenbergh]] in the Renaissance-inspired style.<ref name="aia5" /><ref name="NYCL p. 1" /><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|National Park Service|1990|p=10}}</ref>
=== Facade ===
[[File:W 54th St Nov 2020 01.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Close-up of fourth story windows on number 15]]
The buildings are both three [[bay (architecture)|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.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> The basement and first floor of both buildings are clad with [[Rustication (architecture)|rusticated]] blocks of [[limestone]], while the three upper floors are clad with smooth limestone.<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a|p=2}}, {{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b|ps=.|p=2}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 5">{{harvnb|ps=.|National Park Service|1990|p=5}}</ref> The houses' original exteriors are intact.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" /> 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 [[bracket (architecture)|brackets]] with carvings of [[grotesque]]s, which support double-story [[oriel window|oriels]] above them.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" />
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 [[stoop (architecture)|stoops]]. The stoops are [[dog-leg (stairs)|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.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" /> The cartouches support second-story balconies with stone [[balustrade]]s, which are curved outward. Behind each of these balconies are windows topped by eared [[architrave]]s that flank ornate [[keystone (architecture)|keystones]].<ref name="NYCL pp. 2-3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a|pp=2–3}}, {{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b|ps=.|pp=2–3}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 5" /> 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.<ref name="NYCL pp. 2-3" /> The windows on the second story of the oriel are flanked by [[Vermiculate rustication|vermiculated]] blocks.<ref name="NPS p. 5" />
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 [[lintel]]s 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 [[volute]]s at the top.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="NPS p. 5" /> An additional pilaster, pedestal, and volute are at either extreme end of the shared facade.<ref name="NPS p. 5" /> Above the fourth floor is a [[denticulation|denticulated]] cornice. Number 13 has a copper [[mansard roof]] with three [[dormer window]]s, while number 15 has a balustrade above the cornice.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a|p=3}}, {{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 5" />
=== Interior ===
The interiors of the houses contain ceilings that range from {{Convert|10|to|17|ft}} high.<ref name="nyt20170912">{{Cite news|last=Radomsky|first=Rosalie R.|date=2017-09-12|title=Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/realestate/commercial/recent-transactions.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151637/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/realestate/commercial/recent-transactions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cuozzo|first=Steve|date=2013-10-09|title=Il Gattopardo still thrills in new location|url=https://nypost.com/2013/10/08/il-gattopardo-still-thrills-in-new-location/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=New York Post|language=en-US|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001441/https://nypost.com/2013/10/08/il-gattopardo-still-thrills-in-new-location/|url-status=live}}</ref>  The top two stories of the two townhouses are connected to 20 West 55th Street, a 13-story office building, at their rears.<ref name="nyt20010711">{{Cite news|last=Holusha|first=John|date=2001-07-11|title=Commercial Real Estate; A Redesign to Fill Vacancies in Rockefeller Houses|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/11/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-a-redesign-to-fill-vacancies-in-rockefeller-houses.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction of the office building, designed by [[Emery Roth & Sons]],<ref>{{cite magazine|date=Oct 1989|title=Names and News|url=https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1989-10.pdf|journal=Oculus|volume=52|issue=2|pages=10|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151306/https://usmodernist.org/AIANY/AIANY-1989-10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> involved replacing the rear walls of numbers 13 and 15 with glass, overlooking the office building's five-story atrium.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1984-03-04|title=Postings; Using Landmarks|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/04/realestate/postings-using-landmarks.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234147/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/04/realestate/postings-using-landmarks.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Including the office addition, the structures occupy a total of {{Convert|97500|ft2}}.<ref name="p3979071332">{{cite news|date=8 Jan 1985|title=Danish Bank Buys Lot, Leases Townhouses, Plans to Build Offices|page=1|work=The Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|397907133}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt19850327">{{Cite news|last=Depalma|first=Anthony|author-link= Anthony DePalma (author)|date=1985-03-27|title=Real Estate; A Danish Bank Deal On 54th St.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/27/business/real-estate-a-danish-bank-deal-on-54th-st.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234152/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/27/business/real-estate-a-danish-bank-deal-on-54th-st.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Residences ===
[[File:W 54th St Nov 2020 06.jpg|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.<ref name="NPS p. 7" /> Unlike the other three mansions on 5–15 West 54th Street, the houses at 13 and 15 West 54th Street were developed as [[speculative development]]s instead of being purposefully built for a specific family.<ref name="NPS p. 12">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1990|ps=.|p=12}}</ref> William Murray had bought two of the St. Luke's lots in July 1895 for $125,000.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 July 1895|title=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|page=4|work=New-York Tribune|id={{ProQuest|574062111}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1895-07-16|title=In the Real Estate Field; Sale of Part of the St. Luke's Property Authorized|language=en-US|page=13|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/07/16/103368728.pdf|access-date=2021-05-23|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102091833/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/07/16/103368728.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /><ref name="NPS p. 12" />
The houses were completed circa 1898.<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /> Murray conveyed number 13, approximately {{Convert|275|ft}} west of Fifth Avenue, to Jessie L. Nielson in January 1898.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 22, 1898|title=Conveyances|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_021&page=ldpd_7031148_021_00000184&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=61|pages=151 (Note: this source cites the house as 19 West 54th, but the distance from Fifth Avenue corresponds to that of 13 West 54th.)|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=1558|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175507/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_021&page=ldpd_7031148_021_00000184&no=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Financier and oil heir [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.|John D. "Junior" Rockefeller Jr.]], along with [[Abby Aldrich Rockefeller]], rented number 13 in 1901, around the same time they were married.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1901-09-26|title=Society Day by Day|pages=6|work=New-York Tribune|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78234847/society-day-by-day/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78234847/society-day-by-day/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt19010926">{{Cite news|date=1901-09-26|title=New Home for John D. Rockefeller Jr.|pages=16|work=The New York Times|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236060/new-home-for-john-d-rockefeller-jr/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175518/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236060/new-home-for-john-d-rockefeller-jr/|url-status=live}}</ref> The house was just across from the residence of Junior's father, [[John D. Rockefeller]], at 4 West 54th Street.<ref name="nyt19010926" /> 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."<ref>{{Cite news|date=1901-10-13|title=House Superstitions|pages=31|work=New-York Tribune|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235434/house-superstitions/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175514/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235434/house-superstitions/|url-status=live}}</ref> Next door, Murray retained ownership of number 15 until late 1905, when the firm Pease & Elliman sold that house.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 16, 1905|title=Dwellings|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_036&page=ldpd_7031148_036_00001000&no=1|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=76|pages=958|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=1970|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523222046/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_036&page=ldpd_7031148_036_00001000&no=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1905-12-15|title=In the Real Estate Field|pages=16|work=The New York Times|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78231977/in-the-real-estate-field/|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78231977/in-the-real-estate-field/|url-status=live}}</ref> The buyer was Johnson & Higgins Insurance Company president [[James B. Dickson]],<ref name="NYCL p. 3b">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="NPS p. 13">{{harvnb|National Park Service|1990|ps=.|p=13}}</ref> who finalized his purchase in January 1906.<ref name="Real Estate Transfers">{{Cite news|date=1906-01-06|title=Real Estate Transfers|pages=14|work=The New York Times|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236624/real-estate-transfers/|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78236624/real-estate-transfers/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Four of John and Abby Rockefeller's children were born while the Rockefellers lived at number 13,<ref name="nyt20010711" /> starting with their eldest child, [[Abby Rockefeller Mauzé|Abby]], in 1903.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1903-11-10|title=Rockefeller Baby Born|pages=1|work=The New York Times|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235919/rockefeller-baby-born/|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175505/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235919/rockefeller-baby-born/|url-status=live}}</ref>  [[John D. Rockefeller III]] was born at number 13 in March 1906.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 Mar 1906|title=World's Richest Baby: J. D. Rockefeller III Likely to Be Chief Heir to Billions of Dollars|page=9|work=The Nashville American|id={{ProQuest|929179886}}}}</ref> The same month, Murray sold the land under the east wall of number 13 to Jessie Neilson.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 31, 1906|title=Conveyances|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000637&no=7|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=77|pages=583|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=1985|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523222116/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000637&no=7|url-status=live}}</ref> She filed plans for an expansion of number 13, to be designed by [[Delano & Aldrich]].<ref name="tribune19060417">{{Cite news|date=1906-04-17|title=To Enlarge Dwelling House|pages=11|work=New-York Tribune|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235333/to-enlarge-dwelling-house/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175513/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78235333/to-enlarge-dwelling-house/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=April 21, 1906|title=Private Sales Market|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000775&no=4|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=77|pages=721|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=1988|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175513/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00000775&no=4|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="tribune19060417" /> Nielson sold the house to Junior's father shortly afterward in May 1906.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 19, 1906|title=Conveyances|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00001015&no=2|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=77|pages=961|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=1992|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175501/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_037&page=ldpd_7031148_037_00001015&no=2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Real Estate Transfers" /> John Sr, in turn, gave the house to Junior in 1909.<ref name="NYCL p. 3a" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=1909-07-19|title=Rockefeller is Giving Away Yet More Property|pages=3|work=Santa Ana Register|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255865/rockefeller-is-giving-away-yet-more/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225520/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255865/rockefeller-is-giving-away-yet-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two more Rockefeller children were born while the Rockefellers lived at number 13: [[Nelson Rockefeller|Nelson]] in 1908, at their New England summer home,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1908-07-10|title=Another Rockefeller Heir|pages=7|work=The Sun|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255939/another-rockefeller-heir/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78255939/another-rockefeller-heir/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Laurance Rockefeller|Laurance]] in 1910, in New York City.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harr|first1=J.E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bqwNAQAAMAAJ|title=The Rockefeller Century|last2=Johnson|first2=P.J.|author3=Charles Scribner's Sons|publisher=Scribner|year=1988|isbn=978-0-684-18936-9|page=5|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225508/https://books.google.com/books?id=bqwNAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>  By 1912, the Rockefellers desired a new house for their four young children.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1912-06-28|title=John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s New Home|pages=4|work=Brookville Headlight|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256193/john-d-rockefeller-jrs-new-home/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256193/john-d-rockefeller-jrs-new-home/|url-status=live}}</ref> The family moved to 10 West 54th Street, across the street from number 13.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|author-link=Christopher Gray (architectural historian)|date=1994-05-22|title=Streetscapes/The Rockefeller City House; Pied-a-Terre Off Fifth for a Parsimonious Billionaire|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/22/realestate/streetscapes-rockefeller-city-house-pied-terre-off-fifth-for-parsimonious.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref>
Junior leased his old residence to Mrs. William W. Borden of Chicago in 1913.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1913-10-15|title=City Dwellings Rented|pages=15|work=The Sun|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257214/city-dwellings-rented/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225519/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257214/city-dwellings-rented/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 18, 1913|title=Manhattan Leases|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000851&no=18|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=92|pages=715|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=2379|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225514/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_052&page=ldpd_7031148_052_00000851&no=18|url-status=live}}</ref> Borden leased number 13 in 1918 to [[Howard W. Maxwell]],<ref>{{cite magazine|date=September 28, 1918|title=Leases|url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_062&page=ldpd_7031148_062_00000645&no=8|journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide|volume=102|pages=373|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|number=13|access-date=May 25, 2021|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524175515/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/document.php?vol=ldpd_7031148_062&page=ldpd_7031148_062_00000645&no=8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1918-09-27|title=Tenants for Fine Houses|pages=14|work=New York Herald|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256871/tenants-for-fine-houses/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78256871/tenants-for-fine-houses/|url-status=live}}</ref> an [[Atlas Portland Cement Company]] vice president and [[New York Trust Company]] director.<ref name="NYCL p. 3a" /> Maxwell and his wife used number 13 as their city residence and kept a country residence on [[Long Island]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1918-10-06|title=Autum Events in Society Assist War Relief Funds|pages=65|work=New York Herald|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257473/autum-events-in-society-assist-war/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524225522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78257473/autum-events-in-society-assist-war/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> The Rockefellers leased number 13 to Robert Abel-Smith in 1932,<ref>{{cite news|date=10 Sep 1932|title=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|page=26|work=New York Herald Tribune|id={{ProQuest|1114831602}}}}</ref> and the surgeon Charles W. Depping had an office there by 1936.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1936-03-17|title=Rents Suites From Plan; Doctor Leases Two Apartments in New Rockefeller Unit.|language=en-US|page=42|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/03/17/85260646.pdf|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509133224/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/03/17/85260646.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref> After James B. Dickson's death at an unknown date, his widow Harriet continued to live at number 15 until her death<ref name="NYCL p. 3b" /><ref name="NPS p. 13" /> in March 1953.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1953-03-04|title=Mrs. James B. Dickson|language=en-US|page=27|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1953/03/04/93398802.pdf|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Rockefeller museum and offices ===
[[File:W 54th St Mar 2021 15.jpg|left|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|Seen in March 2021 with the Rockefeller Apartments at left and 11 West 54th Street at right]]
In October 1953, Nelson Rockefeller, who already owned number 13, acquired the twin townhouse at number 15.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 Oct 1953|title=W. 54th St. Home Sold To Nelson Rockefeller|page=52|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|id={{ProQuest|112746909}}}}</ref> The next year, Nelson 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.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1954-12-18|title=Museum to Show Early Native Art; Nelson Rockefeller Sets Up Institution With His Own World-Wide Collection|language=en-US|page=17|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1954/12/18/84447336.pdf|access-date=2021-05-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1955, Rockefeller acquired number 15.<ref name="NYCL p. 3b" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Knox|first=Sanka|date=1957-02-21|title=New Art Museum Shows Primitives; Nelson Rockefeller Display Opens to the Public Today at '15 West 54th Street Queens Educator Is Aide|language=en-US|page=23|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/02/21/84953280.pdf|access-date=2021-05-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The museum's collection of over a thousand pieces was transferred to the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (Met) in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martinez|first=Alanna|date=2015-08-26|title=How Art Collected By a Long-Lost Rockefeller Changed the Met Museum|url=https://observer.com/2015/08/how-art-collected-by-a-long-lost-rockefeller-changed-the-met-museum-forever/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Observer|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001449/https://observer.com/2015/08/how-art-collected-by-a-long-lost-rockefeller-changed-the-met-museum-forever/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hellman|first=Geoffrey T.|date=1969-06-07|title=Winner|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/06/07/winner-6|access-date=2021-05-23|magazine=The New Yorker|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001441/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/06/07/winner-6|url-status=live}}</ref> The Museum of Primitive Art closed in 1976 and its collections were transferred to the Met.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rockefeller, Nelson Aldrich|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/libraries-and-research-centers/leonard-lauder-research-center/research/index-of-cubist-art-collectors/rockefeller|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Metropolitan Museum of Art|archive-date=January 4, 2021|archive-url=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}}</ref>
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.<ref name="NYCL p. 3a">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a|ps=.|p=3}}</ref><ref name="nyt19671125">{{Cite news|last=Clarity|first=James|date=1967-11-25|title=Governor's Midtown Offices, the Unofficial State Capitol; Brought Up Here|language=en-US|page=41|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/11/25/84802363.pdf|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 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.<ref name="nyt19671125" /> 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 from a heart attack and died at his 54th Street office in January 1979.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|author-link=Robert D. McFadden|date=1979-01-29|title=New Details Are Reported on How Rockefeller Died|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/29/archives/new-details-are-reported-on-how-rockefeller-died-time-of-death.html|access-date=2021-05-23|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2014-06-13|title=Rockefellers have known prominence, tragedy|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/06/13/rockefeller-family-known-prominence-tragedy/10438241/|access-date=2021-05-24|website=lohud.com|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524001442/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2014/06/13/rockefeller-family-known-prominence-tragedy/10438241/|url-status=live}}</ref> The heart attack occurred in the presence of aide Megan Marshack, who called a friend to report Rockefeller's heart attack to emergency operators.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|author-link=Robert D. McFadden|date=1979-02-09|title=Rockefeller Aide Did Not Make Call to 911|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/09/archives/rockefeller-aide-did-not-make-call-to-911-tv-personality-friend-of.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> In his will, "no specific disposition" of the houses at 13–15 West 54th Street was recorded.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Berlage|first=Randall V.|date=1979-02-10|title=Rockefeller estate $66.5m|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260356/rockefellers-estate/ 5]|work=The Boston Globe|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260307/rockefeller-estate-665m/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260307/rockefeller-estate-665m/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Later use ===
[[File:West54house.jpg|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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Huxtable|first=Ada Louise|author-link=Ada Louise Huxtable|date=1979-10-20|title=New York zoning laws blasted for lack of teeth|pages=125|work=Fort Lauderdale News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260109/new-york-zoning-laws-blasted-for-lack/|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234151/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78260109/new-york-zoning-laws-blasted-for-lack/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="nyt19810621" /> The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] designated the five houses at 5–15 West 54th Street as city landmarks,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1981-02-06|title=Rocky's townhouse tagged a landmark|pages=82|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78050036/rockys-townhouse-tagged-a-landmark/|access-date=2021-05-20|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521003517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78050036/rockys-townhouse-tagged-a-landmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> including 13 and 15 West 54th Street, on February 3, 1981.<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /> 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.<ref name="nyt19810621">{{Cite news|last=Huxtable|first=Ada Louise|author-link=Ada Louise Huxtable|date=1981-06-21|title=Architecture View; Some Good News, and Bad, for West 54th Street|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/21/arts/architechure-view-some-good-news-and-bad-for-west-54th-street.html|access-date=2021-05-20|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref>
Developer [[Feldman Brothers]] took over the four properties at 13–15 West 54th .and 20–22 West 55th Street.<ref name="NPS p. 13" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shenon|first=Philip|date=1983-04-03|title=Office Building Is Set for 55th St. After an Accord With Developer|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/03/nyregion/office-building-is-set-for-55th-st-after-an-accord-with-developer.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="p3979071332" /><ref name="nyt19850327" /> Under the arrangement, Feldman Brothers would complete the office building's construction and renovate the two houses, which were being refurbished by [[HLW International|Haines Lundberg Waehler]].<ref name="nyt19850327" /> The bank's name was installed in gold letters outside the houses.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|author-link=David W. Dunlap|date=1986-10-16|title=Column One: Changes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/nyregion/column-one-changes.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234150/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/16/nyregion/column-one-changes.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1986, Tore Wretman and Håkan Swahn announced they would open a Swedish restaurant, [[Restaurant Aquavit]], in the lower two stories of number 13.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gutis|first=Philip S.|date=1986-09-07|title=Postings: New From Sweden; Aquavit on 54th|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/07/realestate/postings-new-from-sweden-aquavit-on-54th.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234151/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/07/realestate/postings-new-from-sweden-aquavit-on-54th.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l-UCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160|title=Scandinavian|date=Sep 21, 1987|journal=New York Magazine|publisher=New York Media, LLC|page=160|access-date=2021-05-24|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234145/https://books.google.com/books?id=l-UCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA160|url-status=live}}</ref> Aquavit opened the next year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Bryan|date=1987-12-18|title=Diner's Journal|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/arts/diner-s-journal.html|access-date=2021-05-24|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524234149/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/18/arts/diner-s-journal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="nris">{{cite web|date=1990|title=National Register of Historic Places Weekly Lists for 1990|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-1990-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-01|publisher=National Park Service|page=2|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325014520/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-1990-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf}}</ref>
The next occupant of the houses, Danish bank [[Unibank (Denmark)|Unibank]], would leave 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.<ref name="nyt20010711" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|author-link=Florence Fabricant|date=2003-12-24|title=Food Stuff; Off the Menu|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/24/dining/food-stuff-off-the-menu.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151312/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/24/dining/food-stuff-off-the-menu.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both houses were sold in 2004 for $23 million to Rock 54, LLC.<ref>{{cite web|date=2004-11-15|title=Deed; Grantor: Haut Brion Partners, LLC; Grantee: Rock 54, LLC|url=https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/DS/DocumentSearch/DocumentImageView?doc_id=2004111702188002|access-date=2021-01-01|publisher=New York City Department of Finance; Office of the City Register|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151307/https://a836-acris.nyc.gov/DS/DocumentSearch/DocumentImageView?doc_id=2004111702188002|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gray Kunz]] subsequently opened the Grayz restaurant in the former Aquavit space in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bruni|first=Frank|author-link=Frank Bruni|date=2007-12-05|title=The Lounge That Ate a Restaurant|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/dining/reviews/05rest.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151309/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/dining/reviews/05rest.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gray Kunz, Grayz Restaurant|url=http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/oct2007-newrestaurant_Grayz.asp|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-25|website=NY Restaurant Insider|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151306/http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/oct2007-newrestaurant_Grayz.asp}}</ref> After two years, Grayz was replaced by Atria, which only operated for another four months.<ref name="Kludt 2010">{{cite web|last=Kludt|first=Amanda|date=2010-07-23|title=Nice's La Petite Maison Will Open in Old Grayz/Atria Space|url=https://ny.eater.com/2010/7/23/6725441/nices-la-petite-maison-will-open-in-old-grayz-atria-space|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Eater NY|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> La Petite Maison then took the restaurant space in 2010.<ref name="Kludt 2010" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sifton|first=Sam|author-link=Sam Sifton|date=2011-03-22|title=Magnates and Beignets in Midtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/dining/reviews/23rest.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525151312/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/dining/reviews/23rest.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Il Gattopardo restaurant opened in the townhouses' restaurant space in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|author-link=Florence Fabricant|date=2013-08-27|title=Slow-Smoked Texas Barbecue at Morgans, and More Restaurant Openings|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/28/dining/slow-smoked-texas-barbecue-at-morgans-and-more-restaurant-openings.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> Eagle's View Capital Management leased the third floor of the houses in 2017.<ref name="nyt20170912" />
== 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 ==
{{notelist}}
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}
=== Sources ===
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite web|date=February 3, 1981|title=13 West 54th Street Residence|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1104.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981a}}}}
* {{cite web|date=February 3, 1981|title=15 West 54th Street Residence|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1105.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1981b}}}}
* {{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/89002260.pdf|title=Historic Structures Report: Residences at 5-15 West 54th Street|date=January 4, 1990|publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]]|ref={{harvid|National Park Service|1990}}}}
{{Midtown North, Manhattan}}
{{portal bar|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]]