A landmarked Gilded Age mansion is set to become an exclusive private members-only club following a $19 million renovation plan.
Driving the News: Howard Corney, affiliated with U.K.-based Thornham Residential Holdings, has filed permits with the Department of Buildings to demolish and renovate interior portions of the 6-story Beaux Arts-style townhouse at 854 Fifth Ave. between East 66th and East 67th streets add a rooftop extension, per Department of Buildings records, Crain’s New York Business reports.
Catch Up Quick: The 16,000-square-foot mansion has sat vacant since 2018, when it last served as the Yugoslavia’s Permanent Mission to the UN. The five nations that formerly made up Yugoslavia sold the building in 2022 for $50 million in an all-cash deal, according to the New York Post.
Zoom In: The renovation plans include transforming the first through fourth floors into a private club, bar, lounge and dining room across 11,000 square feet, Crain’s notes. The fifth and sixth floors would become three dwelling units spanning 6,000 square feet. Additional changes include installing an ADA-accessible lift, the creation of another dining room by filling an interior courtyard, and adding 2,500 square feet to the roof.
The Big Picture: The 1903 mansion became one of the city’s first individually designated landmarks in 1969. The rezoning application was approved in February, notes Crain’s.
Looking Ahead: Membership will be limited, with small-scale live music and events to avoid large crowds.
