United Charities Building Complex
Also known as: United Charities Building; Kennedy Building; Dockbuilder's Tra
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Why it's listed
Rising nine stories at the corner of Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street in Manhattan, this office building was designed by architect R.H. Robertson and funded by businessman John S. Kennedy to house charitable societies at reduced cost. Its limestone base, Philadelphia pressed brick upper floors, terra-cotta ornament, and Spanish tile roof reflect a classical turn in Robertson's work, and an 1897 addition by J. B. Baker raised it to its present height. Inside, the ground-floor assembly hall keeps its metal ceiling, stained glass clerestory, and carved woodwork. The building matters for the reform organizations it sheltered. The Charity Organization Society, led by Josephine Shaw Lowell, launched a training course that became the New York School of Philanthropy. The National Consumers' League, guided by Florence Kelley, worked from here on child labor, wage, and hours legislation, including the research behind the Muller v. Oregon case. Child labor and labor law committees also had offices here.
Significance in brief: The building housed the Charity Organization Society, the National Consumers' League and other reform groups that shaped Progressive-era labor legislation and professional social work training. The nomination argues it was a central base for women reformers such as Josephine Shaw Lowell and Florence Kelley. It claims national significance in social history, community planning and education.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85000661, listed March 28, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 105 E. 22nd St,. 289 Park Ave. S. and 111-113 E. 22nd St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | March 28, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000661 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1899 to 1912 |
| Architect / builder | Robert Henderson Robertson; James Baker |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revival; Renaissance design |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, Local |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 17, 1991 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a headquarters office building for social service organizations, with a high degree of integrity; main lobby remodeled circa 1930s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.73944, -73.98625 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85000661.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7887567
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.