Tag Archives: Lenox Hill

502 Park Avenue

502 Park Avenue, aka Trump Park Avenue, is now in its fifth incarnation. Built in 1929 as the Viceroy Hotel, it was victim of the stock market crash and quickly became the Cromwell Arms, then Delmonico’s. It has been a hotel, rental apartments, a cooperative, back to hotel, and finally as a condominium.

Donald Trump’s conversion added a seven-story glass box to the top of the north side of the tower, adding floor space at the expense of the building’s appearance.

502 Park Avenue Vital Statistics
502 Park Avenue Recommended Reading

Google Map

Aramco Building

Aramco Building reminds one, with its brick, curved corner, and strip windows, of the Starrett-Lehigh Building in West Chelsea. It served as headquarters of the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) from 1949 to 1973.

According to a New York Times article, the Aramco Building was designed with a view to possible future conversion to residential use. In 1987 the building was updated by Der Scutt, the architect responsible for the Trump Building, Grand Hyatt, and 100 United Nations Plaza Tower, among others. In the renovation, Der Scutt created a two-story lobby and modern two-story base clad in polished brass, tinted glass and marble.

Aramco Building Vital Statistics
Aramco Building Recommended Reading

Google Map

Mayfair House

Mayfair House was designed as a residential hotel by James Carpenter, one of New York’s premier apartment house architects. For a time, the building operated as the Mayfair Regent Hotel.

Colony Capital bought the building at a bankruptcy auction in 1998, and partnered with Trump International to convert the 210 hotel rooms and suites to 70 condominium apartments. At the same time the new owners expanded the ground floor restaurant, and swapped entrances: The restaurant entrance is now on E 65th Street and the residential entrance is on Park Avenue.

Thankfully, no glass boxes were added (as was done four blocks away, at Trump Park Avenue).

Mayfair House Vital Statistics
Mayfair House Recommended Reading

Google Map