19 Gramercy Park South

This five-story red brick mansion sits at the edge of Gramercy Park with 37 rooms spread across its interior. It contains a grand ballroom, two kitchens, and a wine cellar in its basement.

The house was built in 1845 and underwent significant changes in 1887 when architect Stanford White added a marble staircase and expanded the top floor into a ballroom. This renovation transformed the structure into a grander residence.

The house served as a gathering place where New York society members met with entertainers and creative figures. This mix of traditional and modern crowds shaped the character of the building for much of the 20th century.

The building sits at the corner of Irving Place with convenient access to nearby subway stations and many restaurants around the neighborhood. The adjacent Gramercy Park is private and limited to residents, but the surrounding streets are pleasant to explore on foot.

Benjamin Sonnenberg bought the entire building in 1945 and filled its rooms with English furniture and drawings by Old Masters. This transformation into a private art collection made it a distinctive gathering place for collectors and art lovers.

Location: New York City

GPS coordinates: 40.73737,-73.98610

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22