Percy Rivington Pyne House
Encyclopedia
The Percy Rivington Pyne House is a neo-federal town house located at the corner of Park Avenue
and 68th Street. Today the Americas Society
uses the building as its New York City headquarters.
, it was built in 1909-11.
Its materials and scale established a character that was followed by the architects of all the subsequent houses on this Park Avenue blockfront. The building was occupied by the Soviet Mission to the United Nations from 1948 to 1963. The generous actions of the Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Larraín, Marquesa de Cuevas
, in acquiring the property in 1965 and presenting it to the Americas Society, saved the building from destruction.
Together with the buildings of the neighbouring Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
and the Italian Consulate General, it forms one of the last intact architectural ensembles on Park Avenue.
A Designated Landmark of New York City plaque was provided by the New York Community Trust in 1971.
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
and 68th Street. Today the Americas Society
Americas Society
The Americas Society is an organization dedicated to education, debate, and dialogue in the Americas; established in 1965 by David Rockefeller. The Americas Society promotes the understanding of the economic, political, and cultural issues that define and challenge the Americas today, including...
uses the building as its New York City headquarters.
History
Designed by McKim, Mead & White for Percy Rivington Pyne, grandson of the noted financier, Moses TaylorMoses Taylor
Moses Taylor was a 19th century New York merchant and banker and one of the wealthiest men of that century. At his death, his estate was reported to be worth $70 million, or about $ billion in today's dollars. He controlled the National City Bank of New York , the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western...
, it was built in 1909-11.
Its materials and scale established a character that was followed by the architects of all the subsequent houses on this Park Avenue blockfront. The building was occupied by the Soviet Mission to the United Nations from 1948 to 1963. The generous actions of the Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Larraín, Marquesa de Cuevas
Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Larraín, Marquesa de Cuevas
Margaret Rockefeller Strong Cuevas was an American activist.Cuevas was the daughter of Elizabeth Rockefeller Strong and her husband Dr. Charles Augustus Strong . Her maternal grandfather was Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller...
, in acquiring the property in 1965 and presenting it to the Americas Society, saved the building from destruction.
Together with the buildings of the neighbouring Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is an organization in New York City founded to promote the Spanish language and the culture of Spain. It is located on 684 Park Avenue in the former Oliver D. Filley House.- History :...
and the Italian Consulate General, it forms one of the last intact architectural ensembles on Park Avenue.
A Designated Landmark of New York City plaque was provided by the New York Community Trust in 1971.