Payne Whitney House — Albertine

NYFE Summary

France acquired this former residence in 1952 for its cultural services. The French and English bookshop Albertine later opened inside. Its upstairs reading room has a painted ceiling of stars, planets and constellations inspired by a room in Munich’s Villa Stuck.

Busts of writers and thinkers stand among the books. In the entrance hall, the Young Archer is a replica; the original sculpture is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From outside, look for the curved granite front, ironwork and carved figures above the windows.

NYFE summary from the official history and visitor sources linked below.

Plan a visit

Check the operator’s current opening, admission and access information before travelling. Historic status does not guarantee public access to every interior.

Sources & further reading

• NYC LPC: Payne Whitney House designation report ↗

More to explore in Manhattan

• 1 Wall Street and the Red Room
• 125th Street Library
• 23 Wall Street — J. P. Morgan Building