Gramercy Park and some of the residential buildings encircling it with key access
New York's most upscale residential buildings flaunt the use of high-quality materials: statuary marble floors and countertops, bronze door handles and frames, and onyx details. But the rarest and perhaps most highly coveted amenity of all is made from a commonplace nickel alloy: a key to Gramercy Park, the only private park in Manhattan. The first keys to Gramercy Park were made of solid gold, and today’s keys are treated as reverently as if it was still the practice.
As only buildings directly on Gramercy Park may access keys, today’s developers are understandably eager to build there however they can. Zeckendorf Development intentionally chose 18 Gramercy Park South, a one-time Salvation Army residence, for a condo conversion based on park proximity and paid for the first year of park keys for buyers. The first buyers at the condo conversion of 36 Gramercy Park East received park keys on personalized brass keychains. And if buyers at the nearby 57 Irving Place were able to join The Players, a members' club that confers park keys to members in good standing, the developer arranged a deal to pay their annual dues for five years.
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Existing building at 38 Gramercy Park East to be redeveloped into a 20-story condo development
The latest newcomer is about to take shape at 38 Gramercy Park East. After years of building a six-parcel assemblage that included the prewar cooperative, the neighboring rental at 37 Gramercy Park East, and air rights from a neighboring cooperative, partners Legion Investment Group and Gindi Capital began work in earnest in winter 2025: They closed on both the final parcels and a flurry of buyouts for residents in February 2025; demolition permits were filed last week; and early drawings show a thoughtful, traditionally-inspired building that harmonizes with its historic surrounds.
The Real Deal noted that the 20-story building is the largest new development to take shape along Gramercy Park in over a century. As it is located just outside the boundaries of the Gramercy Park Historic District, a project of this magnitude can take shape without the approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, details like a light brick facade, arched entries and windows, and numerous setbacks pay tribute to prewar architecture.
Details about the apartments and amenities are not yet available, but one certainty is that the owners will receive keys to Gramercy Park. We explore the history of the park, present-day rules and policies, and a small handful of current availabilities that allow access.
Details about the apartments and amenities are not yet available, but one certainty is that the owners will receive keys to Gramercy Park. We explore the history of the park, present-day rules and policies, and a small handful of current availabilities that allow access.
Gramercy Park Historic District (Landmarks Preservation Commission)
History
In 1831, developer and urban planner Samuel Ruggles deeded two acres of his extensive property holdings to be used as a park surrounded by mansions, a practice inspired by London. While the first few years were spent draining the wetlands, the park was fenced in the mid-1830s and locked in 1844. It was the antithesis of Union Square, another of Mr. Ruggles' creations regarded as a park for the people.
Over the first 50 years of Gramercy Park’s existence, the gates were only opened once during the Civil War draft riots. The violence spread north from Lower Manhattan, and the Eighth Regiment artillery camped out in the park while defending the people.
In 1890, the New York State Legislature passed a bill that would have allowed a cable car to pass through Gramercy Park. Local activists shut down that proposal, as well as one to run a street through it connecting Irving Place and Lexington Avenue. The second proposal in 1912 was the last serious attempt at breaching the park, and the gates have been locked ever since.
Present Day
Entrance to 36 Gramercy Park East (Nest Seekers)
Gramercy Park is considered the unofficial front yard of the 39 buildings surrounding it. According to The New York Times, each building pays a yearly assessment fee of $7,500, which grants them two keys (buildings with more lots get more keys). Fear of having key privileges rescinded keeps the payments coming in.
Of the 383 keys manufactured in 2012, 126 were managed by doormen and concierges in buildings on the park, who allowed residents to sign them out. Residents who do not wish to go through the building pay $350 a year for personal keys. All keys are numbered and coded, and the keys and locks are changed every year. Those who are foolish enough to lose their park keys are charged $1,000 for replacements. If the keys are lost again, the replacement costs $2,000.
Rules and Exclusivity
Nearly 200 years since Mr. Ruggles deeded the land, Gramercy Park remains accessible only to property owners of buildings directly on the park. In addition to The Players, members of the National Arts Club (the first private club to admit women on an equal basis as men), the Brotherhood Synagogue, and Cavalry-St. George’s Church are also eligible for keys to the park.
When the five-star Gramercy Park Hotel was open, guests could use the hotel's keys to the park but were required to be escorted in and out by hotel staff. Whoever holds the keys, the precious hardware is required for both entering and exiting the park. Additionally, keyholders may be accompanied by no more than five guests at a time.
As an aside, Gramercy Park Hotel shuttered in the pandemic, but MCR Hotels acquired the lease to the property in August 2023 and announced plans to reopen it as a luxury boutique hotel in 2025, following renovations. These include restoring the lobby, the guest rooms, the rooftop bar, and the first-floor restaurant (Danny Meyer's Maialino, which is expected to reopen). But for all the updates, the hotel is expected to keep keys to the park.
As an aside, Gramercy Park Hotel shuttered in the pandemic, but MCR Hotels acquired the lease to the property in August 2023 and announced plans to reopen it as a luxury boutique hotel in 2025, following renovations. These include restoring the lobby, the guest rooms, the rooftop bar, and the first-floor restaurant (Danny Meyer's Maialino, which is expected to reopen). But for all the updates, the hotel is expected to keep keys to the park.
View of Gramercy Park South from the Gramercy Park Hotel (Christie's Real Estate
Mr. Ruggles described the park as ornamental as opposed to recreational, a mindset that remains in place well into the 21st century. The park closes at dusk every night. During the day, visitors are not permitted to ride bicycles, bring lawn furniture, play Frisbee or “hardball” sports, drink alcohol, smoke, walk dogs, or feed the birds.
The surrounding clubs, churches, and hotels make gorgeous venues for weddings and other events, but photography in the park is not allowed. Nor is commercial photography - witness the ado when an Airbnb guest with a key posted pictures of Gramercy Park to Google Maps in December 2014. And for those unfamiliar with the park’s rules, “Mayor Arlene” Harrison, park trustee and founder of the Gramercy Park Block Association, is one of its fiercest protectors.
For one hour on Christmas Eve, the gates of Gramercy Park traditionally open for caroling hosted by Cavalry-St. George’s Church. For the rest of the year, most of us can only admire it from the fenced perimeter. Availabilities are naturally few and far between, but we take a look at listings that provide keys to the park as well as the apartments.
Residential buildings with keys to the park:
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19 Gramercy Park South
10 Gramercy Park South
Homes for sale with Gramercy Park access
The Irving, #8E (Sothebys International Realty)
Gramercy Towers, #7F (Corcoran Group)
44 Gramercy Park North, #6E (Compass)
36 Gramercy Park East, #8ST
$1,895,000 (-2.8%)
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 885 ft2
36 Gramercy Park East, #8ST (Corcoran Group)
The Gramercy, #9AF (Nest Seekers LLC)
1 Lexington Avenue, #3B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
50 Gramercy Park North, #15AB (Compass)
60 Gramercy Park North, #PHA (Sothebys International Realty)
18 Gramercy Park South, #PH17
$34,995,000
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 6,329 ft2
18 Gramercy Park South, #PH17 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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