Sandra Ramani

Citysearch

Overview – Originally named Crommessie ("crooked little knife" in Dutch,) this property was owned by Peter Stuyvesant, freed slave Frans Bastiansen and NYC mayor James Duane before lawyer-developer Samuel Ruggles snapped it up in 1831. Though few wanted to live this far north back then, Ruggles forged ahead with his vision, draining the swamp and laying out adjacent Irving Place and Lexington Avenue. By the late 1800's, Gramercy was a popular place for an evening stroll, and soon surrounded by lovely townhouses and brownstones. – – Features and Attractions – Just as…