Avison Young and SERHANT. broker $81.5 million sale of the iconic Beaux-Arts landmark located at 281 Park Ave South

New York, NY – Global real estate advisor Avison Young and AI-native real estate and media company, SERHANT. arranged the sale of 281 Park Ave South, an iconic six-story, 39,800-square-foot Beaux-Arts landmark building for $81.5 million. The unique property offered a rare opportunity to acquire one of Manhattan’s most recognizable assets in an irreplaceable location at the southeast corner of Park Avenue South and East 22^nd Street in the heart of Gramercy Park.

Avison Young’s James Nelson, Alexandra Marolda, Brent Glodowski and Lea Voytovich and SERHANT.’s Ryan Serhant and Bernadette Brennan represented the seller, RFR.

Originally constructed in 1894 and known as the Church Missions House, the property was commissioned by prominent donors including Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. Pierpont Morgan and designed by renowned architects Robert W. Gibson and Edward J. Neville. The striking design, which includes a steel structure and a medieval-inspired façade, was inspired by the town halls of Haarlem and Medieval Amsterdam in the Netherlands. In recognition of its historical significance, the property was designated a New York City landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

“281 Park Avenue South is a truly special asset with a rich history and a character that cannot be replicated,” said James Nelson, Principal and Head of U.S. Investment Sales at Avison Young. “Throughout the marketing process, it was important to identify a buyer who recognized the property's significance, appreciated its unique architectural heritage and was committed to being a thoughtful steward of its next chapter. We are pleased to have achieved an outcome that honors the building's legacy while positioning it for continued success.”

“Opportunities to acquire a Manhattan landmark of this significance are exceptionally rare. 281 Park Avenue South commanded serious attention from the moment it hit the market, and the level of interest reflected just how singular this property is. We're proud to have brought this sale across the finish line for such an extraordinary piece of the city's architectural fabric,” said Bernadette Brennan, Executive Director of SERHANT. Commercial.