502 Park Ave
Project Statistics
Project Name: 502 Park Avenue Terracotta Façade Restoration
Location: New York, NY
Client: Privately Managed Residential Building
Completion Date: Ongoing since 2006
Service Type: Façade Restoration, FISP Compliance
Industry/Building Type/Height Residential, Historic Preservation, 32 stories
Overview
Originally built in 1929 as a hotel designed by Goldner and Goldner, 502 Park Avenue is a 32-story residential building with a rich architectural heritage and cultural significance. It once hosted Delmonico’s restaurant, welcomed visits from Andy Warhol, and served as a temporary home to both Lucille Ball and Bob Dylan, who reportedly first met the Beatles here. Today, it’s managed by the Trump Organization and remains one of the Upper East Side’s most striking pre-war buildings.
What makes this project distinctive is the building's ornate terracotta façade and copper cupola, elements that require specialized restoration expertise, expertise that CANY has provided continuously for nearly two decades.
CANY's Involvement
Services provided
Since 2006, CANY has led comprehensive restoration and regular inspection work focused on the building's distinctive terracotta façade. Our mission extends beyond basic maintenance, we've helped preserve its architectural history while ensuring structural integrity and regulatory compliance. Decades of familiarity with the building allow us to anticipate problems before they escalate and design solutions that respect its historic fabric.
Scope of work
Façade Preservation: Waterproofed the terracotta façade using modern materials compatible with the original masonry
Targeted Interventions: Designed precision repair plans that minimize disruption for residential occupants
Regulatory Compliance: Oversaw implementation of restoration work in accordance with NYC’s Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP)
Access Engineering: Created custom scaffold systems to safely reach setbacks and the copper cupola
Long-term Planning: Developed a maintenance calendar based on the known aging patterns specific to pre-war terracotta
Our approach and solutions provided
Main challenges
Complex access needs: due to multiple building setbacks, occupied terraces, and the delicate copper cupola
Material degradation: age-related wear in the nearly century-old terracotta, including cracking patterns and movement
Regulatory balance: meeting modern safety standards while preserving historic character
Occupied building coordination: working within an active residential environment
CANY's solution
Custom access systems: designed tiered scaffold platforms with protective anchoring systems
Material science application: used repair compounds and sealants matched compatible modern sealants and repair compounds that match to the thermal properties of original materials
Phased implementation: sequenced restoration work to contain disruption to limited building sections at any given time, ensuring resident comfort while maintaining project momentum
Consistent communication: with management and residents
FISP Compliance: Integrated regulatory requirements into restoration strategy to ensure smoother inspections and long-term compliance
Project Achievements
Key outcomes
Addressed safety concerns related to deteriorated façade elements
Preserved key architectural details, including terracotta ornamentation and the copper cupola
Maintained full compliance with local façade inspection laws
Built strong working relationships with residents and building staff
Established long-term resilience through strategic restoration planning
Building History
502 Park Avenue began its life in 1929 as a grand hotel designed by the architecture firm Goldner and Goldner. It quickly became a social landmark, known for housing Delmonico’s, one of the city’s most famous restaurants. Over the years, the building welcomed an eclectic mix of guests and residents, from Hollywood stars to music legends.
Its transformation into a residential tower kept many of the original features intact—ornate terracotta details, a copper cupola, and a steel-framed structure wrapped in brick masonry. The building stands as a reminder of early 20th-century luxury and craftsmanship, and preserving that character requires careful planning and skilled work.
Today, CANY’s ongoing partnership helps ensure 502 Park Avenue doesn’t just meet safety requirements, it remains a living part of New York City’s architectural story, maintained with the same attention to detail that went into its original construction.
Conclusion
502 Park Avenue remains a safe, well-maintained, and architecturally significant part of the Upper East Side. While not a designated landmark, its historic features, including its copper cupola and terracotta ornamentation, have been carefully preserved through CANY’s long-term collaboration with the building’s management, and its residents. Our work reflects a shared commitment to keeping this landmark not just intact, but alive as part of the city’s evolving architectural legacy.
